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Presented  to  the 

UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO 
LIBRARY 

by  the 

ONTARIO  LEGISLATIVE 
LIBRARY 


u 


net  o/  Q/'ncuant. 


BRIG  -GEN.    SIR  JOHN    JOHNSON,    BART. 


ORDERLY   BOOK 


SIR  JOHN  JOHNSON 


DURING    THE 


ORISKANY    CAMPAIGN,   1776-1777 


ANNOTATED    BY 


WILLIAM  L.  STONE 

AUTHOR  or  THE  LIFE  AND  TIMES  OF  SIR  WILLIAM  JOHNSON,  BART.;  BURGOYNE'S 
CAMPAIGN  ;   LIFE  AND  JOURNALS  OF  GENERAL  AND  MRS.  RIEDESEL,  &c. 


HISTORICAL   INTRODUCTION 


ILLUSTRATING 


THE  LIFE  OF  SIR  JOHN  JOHNSON,  BART.  ; 


BY 

J.  WATTS  DE  PEYSTER,  LL.D.,  M.A. 

if  ANCHOR  ^ 

AUTHOR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF   [SWEDISH  FIELD-MARSHAL]   LEONARD  TORSTENSON 

[GENERALISSIMO],   1855;   CARAUSUIS,   1858;    WINTER  CAMPAIGNS,  &c., 

1864;    THE    PERSONAL    AND    MILITARY    HISTORY  OF    MAJ.  GEN. 

PHIL.  KEARNY,  1869  ;   LA  ROYALE,  THE  GRAND  HUNT  OF  THE 

ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  30-7™  AP*IL,  1872-4;  MARY, 

QUEEN  OF  SCOTS,   1882;  &c.,  &c. 


v 


SOME  TRACINGS  FROM  THE  FOOTPRINTS  OF  THE 

TORIES    OR    LOYALISTS    IN  AMERICA 

CONTRIBUTED.  BY 

THEODORUS  BAILEY  MYERS. 


ALBANY 

JOEL  MUNSELL'S  SONS. 
M  DCCC  LXXXll. 


TO    THE 


WHOSE     GRANDMOTHER,    JANE     STARIN,    SUFFERED     FOR     HER 
PATRIOTISM    DURING    THE    ST.    LEGER    CAMPAIGN: 

AND    TO 


A    FRIEND    FROM    BOYHOOD, 


THIS    VOLUME    IS    AFFECTIONATELY    INSCRIBED, 


BY  THE  ANNOTATOR. 


CONTENTS. 


Life  and  Misfortunes  of  Sir  John  Johnson, 
including  the  Battles  of  Oriskany  and  of 
Klock's  Field  I 

Introduction  to  Orderly  Book  a 

Orderly  Book         _-__-___        i 
Appendix  99 

I.   Rev.  Marinus  Willett. 
II.  Gen.  Marinus  Willett. 

III.  Oriskany  from  a  British  Standpoint. 

IV.  Sir  Darby  Monaghan. 
V.  Jane  Wemple  Starin. 

VI.  Addenda  consisting  of  additional  notes. 
The  Tories  or  Loyalists  in  the  Revolution  137 
Indexes  -_-____.-__  257 


PLATES. 

To  face. 

Portrait  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  -  -  -  -  Title. 
Portrait  of  Frederic  de  Peyster  -  Dedication. 
Map  of  Mohawk  Valley  illustrating  the 

Battle  of  Oriskany  and  Klock's  Field  clxii 

Portrait  of  J.  Watts  de  Peyster     -     -  clxv 

Portrait  of  Barry  St.  Leger    .-.-•-  44 

Portrait  of  King  Hendrick         -     -     -  53 

Picture  of  a  Batteau  75 
Portrait  of  Joel  Munsell  -     -----      I  29 

View  of  Fort  Johnson  139 

Portrait  of  Sir  William  Johnson  -  -  159 
Facsimile  of  Paper  signed  by  Johnson, 

Herckmer,  Schuyler,  and  others     -     -  161 

Facsimile  of  Proclamation  of  George  III  181 

Portrait  of  Joseph  Brant  1 96 

View  of  Johnson  Hall  -     -     -      -      -     -  212* 

Facsimile  of  Washington's  Letter  -     -  215 

Facsimile  of  Declaration  of  Independence  220 


Ctfe  atrtr 
of 

Sir  Sotjn  Soljusou 


WITH 

RESPECT  AND  AFFECTION 

THIS  LABOR  is 

D  ED ICATED 

TO 

MY  LATE  VENERABLE  FATHER, 

Jreberic'be   $eti0ter,    C£.   83,, 

PRESIDENT    OF   THE    NEW    YORK    HISTORICAL  SOCIETY,    NEW  YORK 

SOCIETY  LIBRARY,  ST.  NICHOLAS  CLUB,  AND  FORMERLY  OF 

THE  ST.  NICHOLAS  SOCIETY, 

&c.,  &c.,  &c. 

With  a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  assiduity  with  which,  at  an 

early  age,  the  father   inspired  the  son  with  literary  tastes 

and  introduced  him  to  the  study  of  history,  thus 

furnishing  to  him  an  inestimable  resource 

in  trouble  and  a  sure  solace  amid 

many  sorrows. 


I 


PREFACE. 


"  Fidelity,  that  neither  bribe  nor  threat 
Can  move  or  warp,  and  gratitude  for  small 
And  trivial  favours,  lasting  as  the  life." 

COWPKR,  "Task." 

There  is  perhaps  no  truer  proverb  than  that  which  de- 
clares that  '"whoever  excuses  himself  accuses  himself." 
There  are  exceptions,  however,  to  this  as  well  as  to  every 
other  rule — although,  even  in  the  case  of  this  little  work, 
there  would  have  been  no  necessity  of  explanation  had 
circumstances — as  conceited  mortality  vainly  imagines — 
been  in  reality  under  human  control.  Man,  let  him  delude 
himself  as  he  will,  is  anything  but  a  free  agent.  As  Canon 
Charles  Kingsley  makes  one  of  his  characters  sing,  in 
"The  Saint's  Tragedy," 

"  'Tis  Dame  Circumstance  licks  Nature's  cubs  into  shape : 

Then  why  puzzle  and  fret,  plot  and  dream  ? 
He  that's  "wise  will  just  follow  his  nose, 

Contentedly  fish,  while  he  swims  with  the  stream ; 

'TlS   NO   BUSINESS   OF   HIS   WHERE    HE   GOES." 

"All  around  is  forethought  sure, 

FIXED  WILL  and  stern  decree. 
Can  the  sailor  move  the  main  ? 
Will  the  potter  heed  the  clay  f 
Mortal !  where  the  spirit  drives, 
Thither  must  the  wheels  obey. 
I— a 


b  Preface. 

"  Neither  ask,  nor  fret,  nor  strive : 

Where  thy  path  is,  thou  shalt  go. 
He  who  made  the  streams  of  time, 
Wafts  thee  down  to  weal  or  woe  !  " 

A  variety  of  causes  delayed  the  preparation  of  the  his- 
torical treatise  assigned  to  the  writer,  as  an  Introduction 
to  "Wm.  L.  Stone's  "  Orderly  Book  of  Sir  John  Johnson, 
1776- 7."  Among  these  impediments  was  the  expectation 
of  receiving  new  facts  from  Europe.  While  thus  delaying, 
Nature  stepped  in  and  demonstrated  that  a  long  series  of 
violations  of  her  laws  —  one  of  them  excessive  mental 
labor — would  terminate  in  the  arrest  of  all  work. 

It  was  at  first  intended  to  furnish  a  complete  and  de- 
tailed narrative  of  the  whole  career  of  Sir  John  Johnson, 
Bart.,  without  limitation  as  to  the  space  required.  Sub- 
sequently a  definite  number  of  pages  was  assigned.  To 
condense  without  injury  to  clearness  is  not  only  a  rare 
gift,  but  also  a  question  of  severe  labor,  of  time,  and  of 
thought.  One  of  the  most  celebrated  of  English  writers, 
when  asked  to  epitomize  one  of  his  diffusive  works,  in 
order  to  render  it  more  accessible  to  general  readers,  re- 
marked, "I  have  not  time  to  condense."  It  was  also  in- 
tended to  present  in  this  connection  a  reprint  of  a  rare 
little  \vork,  entitled  "Adventures  of  a  Lady  [Mary  (Watts) 
Johnson,  wife  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  Bart.]  in  the  War  of 
Independence  in  America."  This  little  duodecimo  work 
of  57  pp.  has  a  very  curious  history,  and  is  very  valuable 
as  a  presentation  of  the  traditions  of  the  Johnson  family 
in  regard  to  the  wrongs  inflicted  upon  Lady  Mary  (Watts) 
Johnson,  and  the  sufferings  undergone  by  her  in  making  her 


Preface.  c 

escape  from  the  whigs,  patriots,  or  rebels,  in  her  successful 
attempt  to  rejoiu  her  husband,  Sir  John,  within  the  royal 
lines  at  New  York.  It  is  the  tradition  of  the  victim,  as 
opposed  to  the  legends  of  the  victimizers ;  it  is  the  me- 
morial of  the  persecuted,  as  a  set-off  to  the  stories  of  the 
persecutors ;  it  is  the  production  of  a  cultivated  mind,  in 
contrast  to  the  recollections  of  many  received  as  authori- 
ties, among  whom  are  numbered  the  illiterate  depending 
entirely  upon  the  fallible  functions  of  memory. 

This  story  of  Lady  Johnson's  "Adventures"  was 
written  by  Miss  Susan  Griffiths  Colpoys — daughter  of 
Admiral  Griffith  Colpoys,  of  the  British  Navy — who  mar- 
ried Colonel  Christopher  Johnson,  B.  A.,  sixth  son  of  Sir 
John  Johnson,  Bart.  She  was,  consequently,  sister-in- 
law  of  Adam  Gordon  Johnson,  third  Baronet,  son  of  Sir 
John,  and  aunt  of  Sir  William  G.  Johnson,  the  present 
and  fourth  Baronet,  the  grandson  of  Sir  John  Johnson, 
the  second  Baronet.  The  publication  referred  to  was  re- 
ceived, and  the  main  particulars  in  regard  thereto  were 
derived  from  Sir  William  G.  Consequently,  also,  Mrs. 
Col.  Johnson  had  every  opportunity  of  hearing  all  the 
incidents  from  those  most  interested  in  the  occurrences 
and  cognizant  of  the  sad  facts  of  the  case. 

It  was  the  youngest  daughter  of  this  Mrs.  Col.  Chris- 
topher Johnson  who  married  Mr.  Henry  Curwen,  who 
inherited  the  ancestral  abode  of  the  Curwens,  the  historic 
estate  of  "Workington  Hall,"  noted  as  having  been  the 
temporary  residence  or  place  of  detention  of  Mary,  Queen 
of  Scots,  in  1568,  when  she  fled  from  Scotland  after  her 


d  Preface. 

defeat  at  Langside,  15th  of  June  of  that  year.  Among 
the  heirlooms  of  this  family,  a  portrait  of  Mary  is  pre- 
served, which  is  said  to  have  been  presented  by  the  queen 
herself  to  Sir  (Knight,  not  Baronet)  Henry  Curwen,  then 
master  or  owner  of  Workington  Hall. 

In  an  address  delivered  by  the  writer  before  the  New 
York  Historical  Society,  on  Tuesday  evening,  6th  Janu- 
ary, 1880,  the  case  of  Sir  John  Johnson  was  treated  with 
great  care,  and  to  this  was  annexed  two  voluminous  ap- 
pendices, presenting  at  length  quotations  from  original 
authorities  which  explained  and  bore  out  the  views  ex- 
pressed in  the  paper  itself.  These  supplements  likewise 
embraced  accounts  of  the  principal  actions  in  which  Sir 
John  was  second  or  chief  in  command.  Even  to  cite  in 
this  introduction  the  full  titles  of  all  the  works  examined 
would  occupy  more  space  than  could  possibly  be  conceded 
to  such  a  list,  and  the  reader  must  be  content  with  the 
pertinent  remark  of  a  well-known  writer  (James  Freeman 
Clarke)  who  says,  in  his  introduction  to  the  "Legend  of 
Thomas  Didymus,"  "I  present  no  list  of  the  authorities 
from  which  my  facts  are  derived,  but  will  merely  say  that 
the  result  of  much  study  may  be  sometimes  contained  in 
the  form  given  to  a  single  sentence."  To  friends  who 
have  interested  themselves  no  thanks  are  sufficient  for 
their  assistance  in  thought,  word  and  deed.  To  Gen. 
Horatio  Rogers,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  the  diligent  investi- 
gator and  digester  of  the  facts  and  fancies,  the  narratives 
and  traditions  of  the  past ;  to  Col.  T.  Bailey  Myers,  of 
New  York  city,  the  true  friend,  the  generous  and  genial 


Preface.  e 

collector  and  collator;  to  Mr.  Wm.  L.  Stone,  the  pains- 
taking and  indefatigable  historian,  to  Wm.  C.  Bryant, 
Esq.,  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  the  disinterested  champion  of  the 
wronged  and  misrepresented  ;  to  Mr.  Henry  A.  Homes,  of 
the  N".  Y.  State  Library,  for  much  trouble  and  courtesy,— 
to  these  and  to  others  in  lesser  degree,  but  with  great  kind- 
ness, the  warmest  gratitude  is  felt  and  acknowl edged. 

14  0        ^  J.  WATTS  DE  PEYSTER. 

"ROSE  HILL," 

Tivoli  P.  O.,  Duchess  Co.,  N.  Y. 
4th  July,  1882. 

NOTE. — There  are  few  individuals  in  the  United  States  who  have  the 
prerogative  of  expressing  an  opinion  on  the  causes  and  course  of  the 
American  Revolution  superior  to  that  of  the  writer.  Lincoln,  in  his 
speech  of  speeches,  at  the  consecration  of  the  Soldiers'  Cemetery  at 
Gettysburg, — an  utterance  declared  by  English  critics  to  be  second  only 
to  Scriptural  simplicity  and  sublimity — said  that  the  brave  men  living 
and  dead  who  struggled  here — that  is  on  the  battlefield — "  have  conse- 
crated it  far  above  our  power  to  add  or  to  detract ;"  "that  they  gave  the 
last  full  measure  of  devotion"  to  the  cause  that  they  espoused.  The 
writer's  ancestors  and  relatives  "  gave  the  last  full  measure  of  devotion" 
to  the  cause  that  they  deemed  right,  and  that  they  espoused.  They  were 
among  the  most  wealthy  and  the  most  influential  in  the  province  of 
New  York.  A  great  great-uncle,  Stephen  de  Lancey,  was  one  of  the  most 
accomplished  Executives  who  ever  administered  public  affairs.  His 
brother  was  a  Brigadier-General,  and  common  relatives  held  commis- 
sions in  the  British  service,  from  general  down  to  cornet.  A  great  uncle, 
James  de  Lancey,  was  Colonel  of  Light  Horsemen,  comprising  "  the 
Elite  of  the  Colony."  His  daring  enterprises  won  for  him  the  title  of 
"the  Outlaw  of  the  Bronx,"  and  "the  terror  of  the  region,"  "the  debat- 
able ground,"  of  Westchester  County.  A  near  kinsman  and  namesake  was 
Major  of  the  8th  or  King's  Regiment  of  Foot.  He  was  among  the  ear- 
liest officers  to  visit  Lake  George ;  he  built  the  first  frame  building  at  Nia- 
gara Falls ;  won  the  affections  of  whites  and  redskins  on  the  far  lakes ; 
left  a  work,  styled  "  Miscellanies,"  which  is  a  mine  of  facts  for  histo- 
rians ;  rose  to  be  colonel  of  his  regiment,  and  of  another,  the  "  Dum- 
fries Gentlemen  Volunteers,"  raised  to  resist  French  invasion  ;  is  com 
memoratcd  in  the  dedication  of  the  "  Poem  on  Life,"  by  a  famous  pri- 


f  Preface, 

vate  in  his  corps,  the  poet  Burns;  died  full  of  years ^nd  honors,  and 
was  buried  with  rites  only  equalled  on  one  other  occasion,  in  the  grave- 
yard of  St.  Michael's  Church,  lamented  and  revered  by  all  who  knew  him. 
Both  grandfathers  held  royal  commissions,  the  first  as  the  last  royal 
Recorder  of  the  city  of  New  York,  and  the  other  as  a  captain,  from  17 
to  25,  and  was  severely  wounded,  but  recovered.  Three  great-uncles  by 
blood  were  shot  on  the  battlefield  :  one  killed ;  another  desperately 
wounded,  losing  a  leg  ;  a  third  by  almost  a  miracle  escaping  the  effects 
of  a  rifle-shot.  Another  great-uncle  by  mirriage,  afterwards  Earl  of  Cas- 
silis,  was  a  captain  in  the  British  navy ;  a  second  was  Sir  John  Johnson; 
a  third  (James)  was  major,  afterwards  colonel  of  the  British  artillery, 
threatened  by  the  mob  with  burial  alive,  and,  escaping  their  rage,  lost 
literary  treasures,  the  accumulation  of  a  lifetime  and  the  rest  of 
his  accessible  property.  The  writer's  great-grandfather,  President  of 
the  King's  Council,  who,  if  the  crown  had  succeeded,  was  to  have  been 
the  Lieutenant-Governor  and  acting  Governor  of  the  Province — in 
place  of  his  father-in-law,  the  distinguished  Colden — who  had  main- 
tained the  rights  of  the  people  against  military  assumption,  narrowly 
escaped  death  at  the  hands  of  the  mob,  left  the  country,  was  attainted, 
had  his  wealth  confiscated  a  year  subsequently  to  his  departure,  died 
an  exile,  straightened  in  means,  and  laid  his  bones  in  a  foreign  grave. 
His  noble  wife  died  of  a  broken  heart.  This  list  of  martyrs  might  be 
greatly  augmented. 

The  same  Loyalty  which  sent  these  men  to  the  front  during  the  Re- 
volution, actuated  their  descendants  during  the  war  of  1812-15.  The 
writer's  father  and  four  uncles,  beside  other  relatives  who  were  of  suf- 
ficient age,  were  all  in  arms  for  the  United  States.  One  cousin,  after- 
wards a  major-general,  the  conqueror  of  New  Mexico  and  of  Califor- 
nia, died  in  consequence  of  the  aggravation  of  political  rancor,  nay, 
persecution. 

A  kindred  loyalty  to  the  government  sent  every  available  relative 
into  the  field  during  the  Slaveholders'  Rebellion,  and  cost  the  lives  of 
five  out  of  six  of  those  nearest  and  dearest.  Loyalty,  when  it  pays 
''the  last  full  measure  of  devotion,"  has  a  right  to  make  itself  heard  ; 
Loyalty  which  shuns  no  danger  and  fears  no  consequence,  is  a  better  in- 
terpreter of  Duty  than  mere  passion  incited  by  prospective  advantages. 
To  risk  the  loss  of  all  is  a  better  proof  of  honesty  than  the  chance  of 
winning  something  in  a  desperate  game.  And  it  is  not  only  injustice,  but 
spite  that  would  endeavor  to  attribute  unworthy  motives  to  devotion 
such  as  was  testified  by  those  who  threw  life,  property  and  all  that  men 
hoid  dear  into  the  scale,  and  lost  all  from  motives  of  Loyalty  to  Autho- 
rity and  Fidelity  to  the  Flag. 


THE    JOHNSON     FAMILY 

OF  THE  MOHAWK  VALLEY.* 


(Original  motto  of  Sir  WILLIAM  JOHNSON,  Bart.) 


"I  cannot  see,"  observes  a  gentleman  (of  New  York 
Whig  antecedents  and  ancestry),  at  once  an  historical 
scholar,  a  practical  soldier  and  an  accomplished  man  of 
business,  "how  a  man  so  formed  and  trusted  in  himself 
and  his  family  [as  Sir  John  Johnson]  could  have  acted 
differently  than  he  did." 

In  many  respects  the  two  greatest  men  who  adminis- 
tered the  affairs  of  the  colony  or  province,  or,  even  since, 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  were  Lieutenant -Governor, 


*  The  following  genealogy  of  the  Johnson  family  is  compiled  from 
various  sources  :  from  memoranda  furnished  by  the  present  Baronet, 
Sir  William  George  Johnson,  from  Burke's  "  Peerage  and  Baronetage  of 
Great  Britain,  from  Sabinc's  "  Loyalists  of  the  American  Revolution," 
from  Wm.  L.  Stone's  "Life  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  Bart.,"  &c.,  &c. 


ii  The  Johnson  Family. 

acting  Governor,  James  de  Lancey,  and  Sir  William 
Johnson,  Bart.,  the  "Indian  Tamer" — the  Conqueror  at 
Lake  George  in  1755,  and  the  Capturer  of  Niagara  in 
1759.  If  space  permitted,  it  would  be  a  very  interesting 
and  agreeable  task  or  duty  to  clear  up  some  historic- 
doubts  in  regard  to  the  first  Sir  William  and  introduce 
illustrations  of  his  ability  which  have  never  been  presented 
to  the  American  public. 

It  is  marvellous  what  ridiculous  nonsense  has  been 
published  in  regard  to  the  antecedents  and  adventures  of 
this  remarkable  man.  The  following  is  the  literal  truth, 
furnished  from  a  most  authentic  source : 

"The  Hon.  Sir  William  Johnson,  Bart.,  in  America, 
was  the  son  of  Christopher  Johnson,  Esq.,  of  Smith- 
Town,  County  Meath  (Ireland),  a  gentleman  of  great  re- 
pute and  renown,  descended  from  a  distinguished  Irish 
family,*  and  of  Anne  Warren,  daughter  of  Michael  War- 
ren, Esq.,  of  the  same  county,  and  sister  of  Sir  Peter 


*  It  has  been  bruited  that  originally  the  family  name  was  not  John- 
son, but  Jausen,  and  that  the  first  who  bore  it  and  settled  in  Ireland  was 
a  Hollander,  who,  like  many  of  his  countrymen,  went  over  afterwards 
with  William  III.  in  1690,  won  lands  and  established  themselves.  If  this 
report  had  a  grain  of  truth  in  it,  that  the  name  should  become  angli- 
cised immediately  would  be  nothing  remarkable,  since  hundreds  of 
similar  and  of  far  greater  transmutations  and  travesties,  some  amount- 
ing to  simple  absolute  translations,  occurred  in  this  State  within  a  gene- 
ration after  its  settlement :  the  Feuersteins  becoming  Flints,  the  Muh- 
lers  Millers,  &c.,  &c.  This  Jansen  story,  however,  is  a  myth,  like 
many  of  the  stupidities  which  are  engendered  by  ignorance  or  started 
through  envy  or  other  like  meannesses  in  illiterate  neighborhoods.  Col. 
Guy  Johnson,  nephew  of  Sir  William,  always  retained  a  touch  of  the 
brogue.*  "His  tongue  bore  evidence  of  his  Irish  extraction"  (Captain 
Snyder,  in  Stone's  "Brant,"  II.  67. 


The  Johnson  Family.  iii 

Warren,  Knight  of  the  most  Honorable  Order  of  the 
Bath,  Vice- Admiral  in  the  British  Navy  under  George  II. 
(and  well-known  for  his  exploits — among  these  his  co- 
operation with  Sir  William  Pepperell  in  the  famous  expe- 
dition against  Louisburg,  the  French  Gibraltar  in  Amer- 
ica, in  1745),  and  niece  of  Admiral  Lord  Aylmer,  of  Bal- 
rath,  County  Meath,  Ireland. 

"The  above  Christopher  Johnson  was  son  of  William 
Johnson,  then  called  MacSean  or  MacShane,  a  general  of 
very  great  repute  and  credit  in  that  part  of  Ireland  (coun- 
ty Meath,  whose  principal  river  is  the  Boyne,  famous 
for  the  victory  of  William  III.  over  James  II.,  1st  July, 
1690),  and  of  Anne  Fitzsimmons,  of  Tally nally,  county  of 
Westmeath.  William  MacSean  was  the  son  of  Thomas 
MacSean  and  Frances  Fay,  of  the  very  ancient  family  of 
Derrinaganale,  county  Westmeath.  This  Thomas  MacSean 
was  son  of  John  (O'Neil),  from  whom  the  MacSeans  of  that 
family  were  called,  and  was  descended  from  the  Royal 
(Irish)  family  of  Dungannon,  County  Tyrone,  formerly 
princes  of  Ulster  and  monarchs  of  Ireland,  ' '  antecedent  to 
Christianity"  and  "before  the  coming  of  St.  Patricke." 
The  family  of  Warren  (here  referred  to),  of  Warrentown,  is 
the  head  and  stock  of  several  illustrious  families  of  that 
name  in  Ireland,  and  the  founder,  was  one  of  the  principal 
followers  of  Earl  Strongbow  when  he  conquered  Ireland, 
1169-70.  This  family  of  Warren  is  descended  in  a  direct 
legal  line  from  the  Marquises  of  Warrene,  in  Normandy, 
France. 

According  to  Sir  William  George  Johnson,  Bart.,  there 
2 


iv  The  Johnson  family. 

is  an  exceptional  honor  attached  to  the  patent  of  nobility 
conferred  upon  the  first  Sir  William  and  his  son,  Sir  John, 
which  is  almost  unprecedented  in  British  history.  The 
patent  which  perpetuates  the  baronetcy  in  this  family  con- 
tains a  clause  which  gives  the  title  of  "Knight"  or  "  Sir" 
to  the  eldest  son  on  his  attaining  his  majority,  an  extraor- 
dinary clause,  as  knighthood  as  a  rule  is  not  hereditary, 
but  is  conferred  for  special  services  and  terminates  with 
the  life  of  the  recipient. 

I.  WILLIAM  JOHNSON,  Esq.  (afterwards  Knight  and 
Baronet),  was  born  at  Smith  Town,  County  Meath,  Ireland, 
and  subsequently  adopted  by  his  maternal  uncle,  Admiral  Sir 
Peter  Warren,  K.  B.,  capturer  of  Louisburg,  <fec.,  and  went 
out  with  him  to  North  America,  where  he  rose  to  the  rank  of 
Colonel  in  the  British  Army,  Major-General  of  the  Provincial 
Forces  and  (or)  of  the  Militia,  16th  April,  1783,  and  distin- 
guished himself  as  a  military  commander  during  the  French 
(American)  War  (1754-63),  and  as  a  negotiator  with  Indian 
tribes.  He  was  created  a  Baronet  27th  Nov.,  1755.  In  1756 
he  received  his  commission  as  "  Colonel,  Agent  and  Sole  Superin- 
tendent of  all  the  affairs  of  the  Six  Nations  and  other  Northern 
Indians"  "  with  no  subordination  but  to  Loudon  (London?)." 
He  died  llth  July,  1774,  of  chronic  malignant  dysentery,  aged 
59,  at  his  seat,  Johnson  Hall,  Tryon  County,  New  York,  leaving 
by  Catherine  Wisenberg  [Weissenberg  ?],  his  wife : 

i.  JOHN,  his  heir. 

u.  ANNE,  married  to "  Col.  DANIEL  CLAUSS,  of  North 
America,  and  died  about  1798. 

in.  MARY,  married  to  Col.  GUY  JOHNSON,  and  had  two 
daughters:  1.  Mary,  wife  of  Field  Marshal  Lord 
Clyde,  queller  of  the  East  India  Mutiny,  originally 
Sir  Colin  Campbell,  and  mother  of  Gen.  Sir  Guy  Camp- 
bell :  2.  Julia. 


The  Johnson  Family.  v 

The  son  and  heir  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  Bart. : 
II.  SIR  JOHN,  of  Johnson  Hall,*  Tryon  (afterwards  Fulton) 
County,  N.  Y.,  finally  of  Mount  Johnson,  Montreal :  Colonel  of 
Regiment  of  Horse  in  the  Northern  District  of  New  York,  in 
1773;  Major-General  of  the  Militia  belonging  to  the  same  por- 
tion of  the  Province  after  the  decease  of  his  father';  Lieut.-Col. 
commanding,  the  Loyal  or  Provincial  "  King's  Royal  Regiment 
of  New  York,"  otherwise  "The  Queen's  Loyal  New  Yorkers;" 
or  "Johnson's  or  Queen's  Royal  Greens;"  Colonel,  B.  A.,  21st 
October,  1782;  Brigadier-General  of  the  Provincial  Troops, 
<fec.,  14th  March,  1782;  Superintendent-General  and  Inspector- 


*  To  furnish  some  idea  of  the  condition  of  insecurity  in  which 
the  Johnson  family  lived,  and  the  state  of  preparation  maintained  at  the 
Hall — the  family  home — a  semi-fortification,  the  following  order,  copied 
from  the  original  by  Col.  T.  Bailey  Myers,  is  inserted  entire. 

It  was  by  a  father  who  was  so  careful  in  his  instruction,  who  was 
so  capable  in  the  handling  of  men,  so  conscientious  in  his  labors,  adminis- 
trative, executive  and  military,  and  so  fortunate  in  his  enterprises,  Sir 
John  Johnson  was  brought  up  and  prepared  for  the  arduous  career 
which  absorbed  the  best  portion  of  his  active  life. 

"  1st.  You  will  keep  your  Party  sober  and  in  good  order  and  pre- 
vent their  having  any  unnecessary  Intercourse  with  the  Indians  least 
any  difference  might  arise  between  them  from  too  much  familiarity. 

3d.  If  any  difference  should  arise  between  them,  if  the  Indians 
use  any  of  your  party  ill,  I  am  to  be  immediately  acquainted  with  it. 

4th.  You  will  in  the  day  time  keep  one  Sentry  on  the  Eminence 
to  the  Northward  of  the  House,  who  upon  seeing  the  enemy  advance 
is  to  fire  his  piece  and  retreat  to  the  Fort.  Another  Sentry  to  be  posted 
at  the  Gate  of  the  Fort  on  the  outside,  who  is  also  to  enter  the  Fort  on 
the  advanced  Sentry  alarming  him. 

3d.  The  Sergeant  to  take  care  that  the  Men's  Quarters  be  kept 
very  Clean  and  that  they  wash  well  and  freshen  their  Salt  Provisions, 
the  neglect  of  which  makes  them  subject  to  many  Disorders. 

7th.  In  case  of  an  attack  the  2  Bastions  to  be  properly  manned 
and  the  2  curtains  also,  there  mixing  some  of  my  People  with  yours. 
The  remainder  of  my  People  to  man  the  Dwelling  House  and  fight  from 
thence,  making  Use  of  the  Four  "Wall  Pieces  and  Musquetoons  and  of 
the  windows  fitted  for  them. 


vi  The  Johnson  Family. 

General  of  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians  and  their  Confederates, 
of  all  the  Indians  inhabiting  Our  province  of  Quebec  and  the 
Frontier,  16th  September,  1791  (a  copy  of  Sir  John's  com- 
mission is  appended  as  a  note) ;  *  Colonel-in-Chief  of  the  six 
Battalions  of  the  Militia  of  the  Eastern  Townships  of  Lower 
Canada.  He  was  Knighted  at  St.  James',  London,  22<1  Nov., 


6th.  Whenever  an  alarm  is  given  by  the  advanced  Sentry,  you  will 
order  three  Patteroes  [or  Peaeroes,  a  very  small  kind  of  cannon]  im- 
mediately to  be  fired,  that  being  the  signal  I  have  given  to  the  Mo- 
hawks, and  on  their  approach  near  the  Fort,  when  challenged,  they  are 
to  answer  "  George"  as  distinct  as  they  can,  then  to  be  admitted  if  prac- 
ticable. 

5th.  When  there  are  no  Indians  here  the  Gates  to  be  locked  at 
8  o'clock  in  ye  Evening  and  opened  at  Six  in  the  Morning,  first  looking 
around  about  to  see  that  all  is  safe  and  clear,  the  advanced  Sentry  then 
to  be  posted  Every  Day. 

The  men's  arms  and  ammunition  to  be  kept  in  Good  Order. 
To  FORT  JOHNSON,  I  am,  Sir, 

Lieut.  August  the  9th,  1756.  Yrs., 

ALEXANDER  TURN  BULL.  WM.  JOHNSON. 

NOTE.— On  the  10th  of  August  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  who  had  succeeded  Baron 
Dieskau  in  command  of  French  army,  invested  Oswego.    On  the  13th 
Cause  of  this      the  garrison,  Shirley  and  Peppereirs  regiments,  1600  men,  evacuated 
absence.         and  retreated  to  the  old  fort  across  the  river,  and  surrendered  on  13th, 
and  both  forts  levelled.    Johnson  was  at  Albany  on  the  20th  when  the 
news  arrived,  and  was  sent  by  Ld.  Loudon  with  two  battalions  of  militia  to  German  Flats 
to  support  Gen.  Webb,  who  had  (started  from  Albany  for  the  relief  of  the  garrison  two 
days  before  the  surrender,  but,  on  receiving  intelligence  of  it,  retreated  with  precipi- 
tancy to  German  Flats,  which  ended  Loudoun's  campaign  and  disappointed  and  in- 
censed the  Six  Nations,  who  looked  for  his  protection,  and  gave  Sir  William  much 
trouble  ;   the  Mohawks  only  remaining  reliable,  the  others  for  a  time  negotiating  for 
peace  with  the  French. 

*  GEN'L  J.  W.  DE  PEYSTER,  BUFFALO,  March  30,  1882. 

DEAR  SIR  : — I  enclose  copy  of  Sir  John  Johnson's  commission  as 
Superintendent-General  of  Indian  Affairs.  The  original  is  bound  up 
in  a  collection  of  autographs  and  documents  in  my  possession,  and 
could  not  be  detached  without  mutilation. 

Possibly  this  may  be  of  some  slight  service  to  you. 

Very  respectfully  yours,  WM.  C.  BRYANT. 

[To  whom  the  Johnson  family  owe  a  heavy  debt  of  gratitude  for 


The  Johnson  Family.  vii 

1765.  (On  the  death  of  his  father,  Sir  William  (I.),  Sir  John 
positively  refused  to  accept  the  succession  to  the  former's  dig- 
nities and  offices  in  connection  with  the  Indians,  and  they  were 
conferred  upon  his  cousin,  Guy  Johnson,  who  exercised  them 
throughout  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  thus  Sir  John  and 
Col.  Guy  have  often  been  confounded,  to  the  disadvantage  of 
Sir  John.  Sabine  says,  "  Col.  Guy  Johnson's  intemperate  zeal 
for  his  royal  master  caused  the  first  affray  in  that  [Tryon] 
county.")  Sir  John  married,  30th  June,  1773,  MARY,  daughter 
of  Hon.  JOHN  WATTS,  Senior,  Esq.,  some  time  President  of  the 
King's  Council  of  New  York,  and  by  her  (who  died  7th  Au- 
gust, 1815)  he  had  issue  : 

i.  WILLIAM,  Lieut-Col.,  born  1775;  married  in  1802,  SUSAN — 
an  extraordinary  beauty — daughter  of  Stephen  de  Lan- 


his  noble  defence  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  and  the  writer  abundant  thanks 
for  information,  rendered  doubly  valuable  by  the  courtesies  attending 
its  transmission.  J.  W.  DE  P.] 

GEORGE  R. 

[GKEAT  SEAL.] 

George  the  Third,  by  the  Grace  of  God  King  of  Great  Britain, 
France  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.  To  our  trusty  and 
well-beloved  Sir  John  Johnson,  Bart.,  Greeting:  We  reposing  especial 
Trust  and  Confidence  in  your  Loyalty,  Fidelity  and  Ability  do  by  these 
Presents  constitute  and  appoint  you  to  be  Superintendent  General  and 
Inspector  General  of  our  Faithful  Subjects  and  Allies,  the  Six  United 
Nations  of  Indians  and  their  Confederates,  and  of  their  Affairs,  and 
also  of  our  faithful  Allies  the  Indians  inhabiting  Our  Provinces  of 
Upper  Canada  and  Lower  Canada,  in  America,  and  the  frontiers  of  our 
said  Provinces,  and  of  their  affairs  :  And  you  are  to  observe  and  follow 
such  Orders  and  Directions  as  you  shall  receive  from  Our  Commander 
in  Chief  of  Our  Forces  in  Our  said  Provinces  of  Upper  Canada  and 
Lower  Canada,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  from  the  Officer  who  may  be 
left  in  the  Command  of  the  said  Forces  for  the  Time  being. 

Given  at  Our  Court  at  St.  James's,  the  Sixteenth  day  of  Septem- 
ber, 1791,  In  the  Thirty  First  Year  of  Our  Reign. 

By  His  Majesty's  Command, 

HENRY  DUNDAS. 


viii  The  Johnson  Family. 

cey,  Governor  of  Tobago,  and  sister  of  Sir  William  de 
Laricey,  K.  C.  B.,  "  Quartermaster-General  of  Welling- 
ton's army,"  killed  at  Waterloo ;  and  died  1812,  leav- 
ing by  her  (who  married  secondly,  1815,  General  Sir 
Hudson  Lowe,  K.C.B.,  and  died  1832)  three  daughters : 

1.  Charlotte,  married  in    1820,   Alexander   Count 

Balmain,  Russian  Commissioner  at  St.  Helena, 
and  died  in  1824. 

2.  Mary,  died  unmarried  in  1814. 

3.  Susan,  died'  unmarried  in  1828. 
ii.  ADAM  GORDON,  Hid  Baronet. 

in.  JAMES  STEPHEN,  Captain  28th  Regiment,  killed  at 
Badajoz,  born  in  1785. 

iv.  ROBERT  THOMAS,  drowned  in  Canada  in  1812. 
v.  WARREN,  Major  68th  Regiment,  died  1813. 

vi.  JOHN,  of  Point  Oliver,  Montreal,  Col.  Com'g  6th  Bat- 
talion of  Militia,  born  8th  August ;  1782,  married  10th 
February,  1825,  Mary  Diana,  daughter  of  Richard 
Dillon,  Esq.,  of  Montreal,  and  died  23d  June,  184], 
leaving  issue : 

1.  WILLIAM   GEORGE,  successor  to  his  uncle,  and 

present  (in  1882)  Baronet. 

2.  CHARLES,  Captain    Madras  Artillery,  born    4th 

February,  1833. 

3.  JAMES   STEPHEN,   Lieut.    14th    Foot,   born    5th 

March,  1836 ;  killed  at  Barbadoes. 

4.  ARCHIBALD  KENNEDY,  born  20th  June,  1839. 

1.  MARIA  DIANA. 

2.  ANNE  MARGARET. 

3.  ELIZA  THERESA. 

4.  MARY  ANNE. 

vii.  CHARLES  CHRISTOPHER,  of  Argenteuil,  Canada  East, 
born  29th  October,  1798:  Lieut.-Col.  in  the  Army; 
Knight  of  the  second  class  of  the  Persian  Order  of  the 
Lion  and  Sun;  married  1818,  Susan,  eldest  daughter 


The  Johnson  Family.  ix 

of  Admiral  Sir  Edward  Griffiths,  of  Northbrook 
House,  Hants  (Hampshire)  (who  took  the  surname  of 
Colpoys),  and  died  30th  September,  1854,  leaving: 

1.  WILLIAM,   an   officer  in    20th    Regiment,  bora 

28th  May,  1821,  deceased. 

2.  JOHN  ORMSBY,  Captain  Royal  Navy;  born  llth 

August,  1822. 

3.  CHARLES  TURQUAND,  born  17th  June,  1825,  de- 

ceased. 

4.  EDWARD  COLPOYS,  born  llth  August,  1855,  an 

officer  in  the  Army. 

1.  MARIA  BOWES,  married,  18th  June,  1867,  Rev. 

Wm.  Bell  Christian,  of  Ewanrigg  Hall,  Cum- 
berland, and  Milntown,  Isle  of  Man. 

2.  MARY  ANNE  SUSAN. 

vin.  ARCHIBALD  KENNEDY,  born  in  1792,  married,  13th  Sep- 
tember, 1818,  Maria  Johnson,  daughter  of  Patrick 
Langan,  Esq.,  of  Montreal,  died  8th  October,  1866. 

1 .  ANNE,  man-ied  to  Col.  Edward  Macdonnell,  De- 

puty Quartermaster  General  to  the  Forces  in 
Canada,  who  died  in  1812. 

2.  CATHARINE  MARIA,  one  of  the  loveliest,  wisest  and 

best  of  women,  married  in  1805  to  Major- 
General  BARNARD  FOORD  BOWES,  an  officer  of 
unusual  ability  and  intrepidity,  who  fell  in  the 
attack  upon  the  forts  at  Salamanca,  23d  June, 
1812.(  See  Harper's  "Alison,"  III.,  476  (2)  and 
note  f,  and  other  authorities  on  the  War  in 
Spain).  She  died  at  Anglesey,  near  Gosport, 
England,  in  1850. 

3.  MARIANNE,  died  1st  January,  1868. 

SIR  JOHN,  died  4th  January,  1830,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  eldest  surviving  son, 

IH.  SIR  ADAM  GORDON,  Lieut.-Col.  of  the  6th  Battalion  of 
Militia,  born  6th  May,  1781 ;  who  died  unmarried  21st  May, 


x  The  Johnson  Family. 

1843,  and  was  succeeded   by  his  nephew,  WILLIAM  GEORGE, 
the  present  (1882)  Baronet. 

IV.  SIK  WILLIAM  GEORGE  JOHNSON,  of  Twickenham,  Coun- 
ty of  Middlesex,  England,  was  graduated  at  Woolwich,  and 
lor  the  best  portion  of  his  life  held  a  commission  in  the  British 
Army  as  Captain  of  Artillery,  and  acted,  in  the  discharge  of  va- 
rious staff  duties,  at  different  posts,  and  once  upon  the  Island  of 
St.  Helena;  born  19th  December,  1830;  succeeded  as  IV.  Baro- 
net at  the  decease  of  his  uncle,  in  May,  1843. 

ARMS. — Argent,  two  lions  counter-rampant,  supporting  a 
dexter  hand  gules ;  in  chief,  three  estoilles  of  the  last,  and  in 
bas,  a  salmon  naiant  in  water,  proper. 

CREST. — An  arm,  gules,  encircled  with  a  ducal  crown,  Or,  the 
hand  grasping  a  sword,  proper,  poinard  and  hilt,  Or. 

MOTTO. — "Nee  aspera  terrent"  '•'•Difficulties  do  not  stop 
(or  deter)  or  dismay.''''  "  BOLDNESS  WINS." 

Sir  John  Johnson,  might  have  exclaimed,  in  the  words  of 
Dryden : 

"  Fortune  came  smiling  to  my  youth,  and  woo'd  it, 
And  purpl'd  greatness  met  my  ripen'd  years, 
When  first  I  came  to  empire,  I  was  borne, 
On  tides  of  people  crowding  to  my  triumph  : 
The  wish  of  nations,  and  the  willing  world 
Receiv'd  me  as  its  pledge  of  future  peace. 
I  was  so  great,  so  happy,  so  belov'd, 
Fate  could  not  ruin  me,  'til  I  took  pains, 
And  work'd  against  my  fortune  ;  chid  her  from  me, 
And  turn'd  her  loose,  yet  still  she  came  again. 
My  careless  days,  and  my  luxurious  nights, 
At  length  have  wearied  her ;  and  now  she's  gone. 
****** 
Oh  !  I  am  now  so  sunk  from  what  I  was, 
Thou  find'st  me  at  my  low-water  mark  : 
The  rivers  that  ran  in,  and  rais'd  my  fortunes, 
Are  all  dried  up,  or  take  another  course. 
What  I  have  left  is  from  my  native  spring  ; 
Pve  still  a  heart  that  swells  in  scorn  of  fate ." 


HISTORICAL    INTRODUCTION. 


"  Our  knowledge  of  the  future  [1861 — 5],  can  only  be  a  copy  of  the  past  [1775-83]." 
TH.  RIBOT'S  " Diseases  of Memory" 

Ctesar. — "  You  must  obey  what  all  obey,  the  rule 

Of  fix'd  necessity  :  against  her  edict 

Rebellion  prospers  not." 

Arnold. —  "And  when  it  prospers — " 

C&sar. — "  '  Tis  no  rebellion." 

*  *  *  * 

Philibert. — •  ''  How  now,  fellow  ! 

Thou  waxest  insolent,  beyond  the  privilege 

Of  a  buffoon." 
Ceesar. — "  You  mean,  I  speak  the  truth. 

I'll  lie — it  is  as  easy  ;  then  you'll  praise  me 

For  calling  you  a  hero." 

BYRON'S  "Deformed  Transformed"  Act  I.,  Scene  II. 

Posselt,  in  his  "History  of  Gustavus  III.,  of  Sweden,"  after  mentioning  that  he  has 
had  a  number  of  manuscripts  communicated  to  him  by  a  high  and  competent  authority, 
says,  "  the  author,  although  he  fully  agrees  in  opinion  with  the  writer  (of  these  manu  - 
scripts),  will  not  communicate  them  to  the  public,  because  the  world  ivill  neither  hear 
nor  believe  the  simple  truth,  but  wishes  to  be  deceived." 

SCHLOSSER,  "History  of  the  XIX.  Century"  IV.,  342. 

"A  wonderful  and  horrible  thing  is  committed  in  the  land;  the  prophets  prophesy 
falsely,  and  the  priests  bear  rule  by  their  means;  and  my  people  love  to  have  it  so  :  and 
what  will  ye  do  in  the  end  thereof."  JEREMIAH  V.,  30,  31. 

There  was  a  greater  and  a  finer  display  of  Loyalty  to 
the  Government,  that  is,  to  the  Union  and  to  the  Flag, 
in  1861,  ten  times  over,  than  of  patriotism  or  whatever  it 
may  be  said  to  represent,  to  the  cause  of  Liberty  and 
Independence,  that  is  to  the  Confederated  Colonies,  in 
3— xi 


xii  Historical  Introduction. 

1775-6.     In  1861  there  was  a  universal  popular  fervor  at 

the  North,  totally  disinterested — an  uprising  of  the  people.* 

• 
In  1775-6,  as  a  national  feeling,  it  was  exactly  the  reverse. 

There  were  more  native  Americans  in  the  course  of  the 
war  in  the  British  service  than  Washington  ever  had  to- 
gether, regulars  and  irregulars,  under  the  highest  pres- 
sure of  voluntary  and  compulsory  service. 

Lorenzo  Sabine  demonstrates  this,  and  the  following 
letter  is  too  pertinent  and  corroborative  to  be  omitted.  It 
is  from  the  pen  of  a  very  able  Federal  general,  and  one  of 
the  most  reflecting  men  of  this  generation,  who  is  like- 
wise a  collateral  relation  of  one  of  the  most  prominent 
Continental  generals.  In  it  the  writer  says  : 

"  The  more  I  read  and  understand  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, the  more  I  wonder  at  our  success.  I  doubt  if  there  were 
more  than  two  States  decidedly  whig — Massachusetts  and  Vir- 
ginia. Massachusetts  (morally)  overlapped  New  Hampshire — 
and  the  northern  part  of  Rhode  Island — and  dragged  them 
after  her.  [These  seemed  to  realize  the  dependence  of  the 
Second  Jager  in  Schiller's  "  Wallensteirfs  Lager"  or  camp — 

"  Freedom  must  ever  with  might  entwine, 
I  live  and  will  die  by  Wallenstein."] 

The  Massachusetts  people  were  Aryan  (by  race),  with  a  strong 
injection  of  Jewish  (instincts).  The  population  of  Southern 
Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut  were  divided — more  loyal  than 


*  There  was  more  patriotism  shown  at  the  North,  among  all  classes 
and  conditions  of  men,  during  the  first  two  years  of  the  "  Slaveholders' 
Rebellion"  than  has  ever  been  exhibited,  spontaneously,  by  any  people 
in  the  world— far  more  than  during  the  American  Revolution.  The 
Loyalists  of  1861-2  took  up  arms  for  their  colors  and  country  and  for 
conscience — for  principle  ;  so  did  the  Loyalists  of  1775-6. 


Historical  Introduction.  xiii 

Rebel.  New  York  was  Tory.  New  Jersey — eastern  part  fol- 
lowed New  York,  western  part  Pennsylvania.  Pennsylvania 
was  Tory,  Maryland  was  divided ;  North  Carolina  partly  fol- 
lowed "her,  partly  South  Carolina.  South  Carolina  had  many 
Tories.  Georgia  followed  South  Carolina.  Two  parties  con- 
stituted the  strength  of  the  Whigs — the  Democratic  Commun- 
ists of  Massachusetts  and  wherever  their  organization  extended 
and  the  (Provincial)  aristocracy  of  Virginia,  which  was  loyal 
to  the  King  but  would  not  bend  to  the  aristocratic  Parliament. 
The  Scotch  (Protestant  not  Papist)  Irish  in  New  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania and  North  Carolina  were  Rebels  to  the  backbone.  The 
Dutch  families  in  New  York  [not  in  authority],  the  Huguenots 
in  South  Carolina,  likewise.  The  Church  party,  the  Germans, 
the  Catholic  Irish  and  the  Quakers  were  Loyalists.  The  Dis- 
senters everywhere  were  Rebels." 

Without  the  active  assistance  of  France  and  Spain,  and 
the  silent  influence  of  other  powers,  jealous  or  envious  or 
inimical  to  Great  Britain,  the  achievement  of  American 
Independence  would  have  been  an  impossibility.  AVhen 
the  goal  was  reached  how  did  the  Confederated  Colonies, 
transmuted  into  the  United  States,  show  their  gratitude 
to  France  and  Spain  ? 

Again,  there  was  more  honesty,  mercy,  magnanimity, 
more  charity  or  philanthropy  manifested  to  the  Rebels  in 
1865,  than  to  their  brethren,  if  they  were  so  in  fact,  by  the 
Colonial  authorities  in  1782-3.  The  Duke  of  Alva  was 
scarcely  more  cruel  for  his  race,  day,  prejudices  and 
opportunities  than  the  authorities  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  for  their  blood  and  their  era.  Not  one  sentence  of 
this  introduction  is  written  to  uphold  Great  Britain.  Even 
accepting  Lecky's  depreciatory  estimate  of  George  III. 


xiv  Historical  Introduction. 

and  his  ministry,  nothing  can  excuse  the  animus  which 
permeates  the  enactments  of  New  York  against  the  Loyal- 
ists, stigmatized  as  Tories,  who  were  certainly  as  honest 
and  self-sacrificing  in  their  convictions  as  their  opponents. 
The  uprising  of  1861  settled  the  interpretation  or 
definition  of  Loyality — Fealty  to  the  Government  and 
Fidelity  to  the  Flag!  If  there  was  any  man  in  the 
Colonies  who  was  a  decided  enemy  to  the  Crown  it  was 
John  Adams,  and  yet  he  it  was  who  declared,  or  rather 

wrote  these  remarkable  words : 

« 

"  For  my  own  part  there  was  not  a  moment  during  the 
Revolution  when  I  would  not  have  given  anything  I 
possessed  for  a  restoration  to  the  state  of  things  before  the 
contest  began,  provided  we  could  have  a  sufficient  security 
for  its  continuance'." 

The  idea  thus  expressed  by  John  Adams  with  the  pen, 
was  nothing  more  than  Sir  John  Johnson  wrote  in  fiercer 
colors  with  the  sword,  at  the  sacrifice  of  such  a  magnificent 
property  that  John  Adams  would  have  regarded  a  portion 
of  it  as  an  elegant  competency. 

What  have  Native  Americans  gained  by  all  that  has 
been  undergone?  Would  their  leaders  have  taken  the 
stand  that  they  did,  if  they  could  have  looked  forward 
and  foreseen  the  present  condition  of  things  ?  Is  material 
prosperity  the  highest  good  ?  The  wish  has  been  attributed 
to  Jefferson,  the  "Apostle  of  Democracy?"  that  an  ocean 
of  fire  rolled  between  his  country  and  the  old  world,  to  pre- 
serve it  from  the  evils  of  emigration.  Foreigners  in  a 
great  measure  engineered  the  American  Revolution.  How 


Historical  Introduction.  xv 

many  figured  at  the  head  of  our  armies  ?  How  many 
influenced  the  resolutions  of  Congress?  Of  twenty-eight 
active  major-generals — there  were  thirty,  but  one  re- 
signed 23d  April,  1776,  and  one  was  retired  in  1778 — 
eleven  were  foreigners,  and  four  had  learned  their  trades 
in  the  British  service.  Throwing  out  those  who  were 
promoted,  of  the  fifty-five  brigadiers,  between  1775  and  the 
close  of  the  war  in  1782,  twelve  were  foreigners. 

The  two  chief  agents  of  independence  were  Benjamin 
Franklin  and  Thomas  Paine.  The  first  was  an  accidental 
American,  just  bor»  in  this  country,  and  the  latter  an 
Englishman. 

Individual  rights  are  more  respected  and  regarded  to- 
day in  Great  Britain,  and  the  law  is  held  in  more  rever- 
ence there  than  in  the  United  States.  Here  license  dictates 
the  laws  and  a  respectable  minority  has  to  suffer  and  suc- 
cuftib.  There  is  no  law  but  public  opinion,  right  or  wrong, 
and  the  atrocious  influence  of  political  greed  and  grasping 
monopoly.  Is  that  worse  than  a  royal  will,  tempered  by 
a  constitutional  representation  ? 

The  atmosphere  breathed  by  so  many  of  the  prominent 
American  families  of  New  York  was  surcharged  with  Loy- 
alty and  Fidelity  to  a  rightful  Prince.  Whether  the  idea  was 
wise  or  foolish,  right  or  wrong,  nothing  was  considered  as 
much  a  man's  personal  duty  as  the  maintenance  of  his  honor. 
The  young  and  charming  Lord  James  Radcliffe,  Earl  of 
Derwentwater,  the  idol  of  the  Jacobites,  was  beheaded* 


*  "LORD  DEHWENTWATEH'S  LIGHTS. — There  have  been  several 
wonderful  and  most  unusual  displays  of  aurora  borealis  in  England 


xvi  Historical  Introduction. 

24th  February,  1716  ;  that  is,  on  the  very  day,  it  is 
claimed  by  Col.  T.  Bailey  Myers,  that  Sir  William  John- 
son was  born,  and  the  wild  fervor  of  Jacobite  Loyalty  was 
still  alive  when  Sir  John  was  a  boy.  The  world  was  yet 
ringing  with  the  thrilling,  touching  and  trumpet-toned 
ballads  which  celebrated  the  virtues  and  sacrifices  of  those 
who  dared  and  died  for  the  Stuarts.  With  such  examples 
before  them,  men  who  had  been  elevated  and  rewarded  by 
the  Crown  would  have  been  false  to  manhood  if  they  had 
not  stood  by  the  source  of  honor  whose  streams  had  en- 
nobled and  enriched  them. 

Contrast  LORD  DER  WENT  WATER'S  famous  "Good  Night" 
with  a  similar  poem,  evoked  by  the  exile  and  ruin  of  the 
Westchester  de  Lanceys.  The  same  spirit  manifests  itself 
in  both. 


lately,  seriously  affecting,  as  they  have  done  here,  the  telegraphic 
communication.  In  Northumberland,  the  aurora  borealis  is  known 
among  the  peasantry  by  the  name  of  Lord  Derwentwaters  Lights.  In 
the  attempt  to  place  the  Stuarts  on  the  throne,  the  Earl  of  Derwent- 
water,  head  of  the  great  Roman  Catholic  north  country  family  of 
RadclifFe,  took  a  conspicuous  part,  and  paid  the  penalty  on  the  scaffold. 
On  the  night  of  his  execution  there  was  a  brilliant  display  of  the 
aurora  borealis,  and  the  simple  peasantry,  by  whom  their  lord,  a  man 
of  high  and  amiable  character,  was  greatly  beloved,  associated  the 
phenomena  with  the  death  of  the  unfortunate  young  nobleman. 

"  There  is  also  a  legend,  which  yet  lingers  amidst  the  homesteads  of 
the  property  which  once  was  his,  that  the  water  in  the  moat  of  Dilstone 
Castle,  the  family  seat,  turned  blood  red  on  that  same  fatal  night. 
This  notion  is  likely  to  have  arisen  from  the  reflection  of  the  sky 
[crimson  with  the  aurora]  in  the  water.  The  vast  estates  of  the  Rad- 
cliffes  were  confiscated  to  the  endowment  of  Greenwich  Hospital,  and 
are  now  worth  about  £60,000  a  year.  A  maniac,  calling  herself 
Countess  of  Derwentwater,  has  lately  been  claiming  them."  Post, 
Nov.  29, 1870. 


Historical  Introduction.  xvii 

"  Farewell  to  pleasant  Dilston  Hall, 

My  father's  ancient  seat ; 
A  stranger  now  must  call  thee  Ms, 

Which  gars  my  heart  to  greet. 
Farewell  each  friendly  well-known  face, 

My  heart  has  held  so  dear ; 
My  tenants  now  must  leave  their  lands, 

Or  hold  their  lives  in  fear.* 

'  No  more  along  the  banks  of  Tyne, 

I'll  rove  in  autumn  grey ; 
No  more  I'll  hear  at  early  dawn, 

The  lav'  rocks  wake  the  day. 
Then  fare  thee  well,  brave  Witherington, 

And  Forster  ever  true  ; 
Dear  Shaftesbury  and  Errington, 

Receive  my  last  adieu. 

"And  fare  thee  well,  George  Collingwood, 

Since  fate  has  put  us  down, 
If  thou  and  I  have  lost  our  lives, 

Our  King  has  lost  his  crown. 
Farewell,  farewell,  my  lady  dear, 

111,  ill  thou  counsell'dst  me ; 
I  never  more  may  see  the  babe 

That  smiles  upon  thy  knee.\ 

'  And  fare  thee  well,  my  bonny  grey  steed,}: 

That  carried  me  aye  so  free  ; 
I  wish  I  had  been  asleep  in  my  bed, 

The  last  time  I  mounted  thee. 
This  warning  bell  now  bids  me  cease, 
My  trouble's  nearly  o'er ; 


*  True  to  the  letter  as  regards  the  tenants  and  dependents  of  Sir 
John  Johnson. 

f  Lady  Johnson's  child,  born  in  captivity,  died  in  consequence  of 
the  exposure  attending  her  escape  from  the  Whigs  or  Rebels,  and  Sir 
John  only  looked  upon  it  to  see  it  die. 

t  Sir  John  Johnson  had  a  famous  (white  or  whitey-grey  ?)  charger, 
which  was  captured  during  the  invasion  of  1780.  (See  Simm's  "Scho- 
harie,"  386.) 


xviii  Historical  Introduction. 

Yon  Sun  that  rises  from  the  sea, 
Shall  rise  on  me  no  more. 

"Albeit  that  here  in  London  town, 

It  is  my  fate  to  die  ; 
O  carry  me  to  Northumberland, 

In  my  father's  grave  to  lie ! 
Then  chant  my  solemn  requiem, 

In  Hexham's  holy  towers ; 
And  let  six  maids  of  fair  Tynedale, 

Scatter  my  grave  with  flowers. 

"And  when  the  head  that  wears  the  crown, 

Shall  be  laid  low  like  mine, 
Some  honest  hearts  may  then  lament, 

For  Radcliffe's  fallen  line. 
Farewell  to  pleasant  Dilston  Hall, 

My  father's  ancient  seat ; 
A  stranger  now  must  call  thee  his, 

Which  gars  my  heart  to  greet." 

The  touching  lines,  just  quoted,  are  echoes  of  similar 
heart-utterances  of  every  nation  which  has  a  literature, 
and  which  has  been  torn  by  civil  war.  Several  poems  of 
exquisite  pathos  attest  the  deep  feeling  of  the  Huguenot 
exiles  driven  by  bigotry  from  France  and  from  the  sunny 
homes  they  were  never  again  to  behold.  Many  years  ago, 
among  old  family  records,  the  writer  found  some  verses  in 
manuscript  which  embody  the  same  sentiments  as  those 
which  characterize  "Lord  Derwent water's  Good  Night." 
They  refer  to  the  desolation  which  fell  upon  the  domain  in 
Westchester  County,  N.  Y.,  where  his  grandfather,  Hon. 
John  Watts,  Jr.,  married,  2d  October,  1775,  the  lovely 
Jane  de  Lancey — a  couple  so  fitted  for  each  other  in 
every  respect,  that  the  festival  was  suitably  commemorated 
in  prose  and  poetry.  The  gentle  Jane  was  the  niece  of 


Historical  Introduction.  xix 

Lady  Johnson,  wife  of  Sir  John,  and  the  sister  of  the 
famous  Colonel  James  de  Lancey,  who  organized  a  Battalion 
of  Loyal  Light  Horse.  "This  Troop  [the  nucleus]  is 
truly  'Elite'  of  the  country,"  is  the  record  of  the  Royal 
Governor.  Their  commander,  stigmatized  by  his  oppo- 
nents as  the  "Outlaw  of  the  Bronx,"  became  "the  terror 
of  the  region"  between  the  Harlem  river  and  the  High- 
lands. He  was  fearless  and  indefatigable,  and,  on  one 
occasion,  came  near  "gobbling"  Washington.  So  formid- 
able did  he  prove,  that  Washington's  "first  offensive  de- 
sign"— after  his  junction  with  Lauzun's  Legion  and  the  ad- 
vanced corps  of  Rochambeau — was  an  attempt  to  destroy 
de  Lancey' s  Legion.  This,  like  that  of  Lauzun,  Pulaski, 
Armand  and  "Light  Horse  Harry"  Lee,  comprised  both 
Horse  and  Foot.  The  enterprise  was  undertaken  on  the 
night  of  1st  July,  1781.  It  failed  completely. 

When  the  success  of  the  Americans  was  decided,  Colo- 
nel James  de  Lancey,  the  hero  of  so  much  sterling  fact  and 
romantic  fiction,  went  forth  an  exile — a  sad  fate  for  so  brave 
and  conscientious  a  soldier,  although  he  was  rewarded  by 
the  bounty  and  confidence  of  the  King  for  whom  he  had 
lost  all.  He  was  a  nephew  of  Sir  John  Johnson.  When 
about  to  leave  forever  his  ancestral  home,  the  ' '  '  Outlaw 
of  the  Bronx'  mounted  his  horse,  and,  riding  to  the  dwell- 
ings of  his  neighbors  [early  associates  and  constant 
friends  through  life]  bid  them  each  farewell.  His  paternal 
fields  and  every  object  presented  to  his  view  were  associ- 
ated with  the  joyful  recollections  of  early  life.  The  con- 
sciousness that  he  beheld  them  all  for  the  last  time,  and 


xx  Historical  Introduction.  ' 

the  uncertainties  to  be  encountered  in  the  strange  country 
to  which  banishment  was  consigning  him,  conspired  to 
awaken  emotions  such  as  the  sternest  bosom  is  sometimes 
compelled  to  entertain.  It  was  in  vain  that  he  struggled 
to  suppress  feelings  which  shook  his  iron  heart.  Nature 
soon  obtained  the  mastery,  and  he  burst  into  tears.  After 
weeping  with  uncontrollable  bitterness  for  a  few  moments, 
he  shook  his  ancient  friend  by  the  hand,  ejaculating  with 
difficulty  the  words  of  benediction — 'God  bless  you, 
Theophilus  [Bailey]  !'  and  spurring  forward,  turned  his 
back  forever  upon  his  native  valley" — the  home  of  the 
writer's  great-grandparents  on  the  mother's  side. 

The  following  feeling  lines  were  written  by  a  stranger, 
an  Englishman,  who  visited  the  old  de  Lancey  manor,  in 
Westchester  County,  N.  Y.,  expecting  to  find  there,  still 
existing,  some  memorials  of  that  gallant,  courtly  and  emi- 
nent race  which  once  directed  the  development  of  the 
colony  and  province.  But,  alas,  in  the  same  manner  that 
war,  exile,  confiscation  and  death  had  smitten  and  scat- 
tered the  proud  owners,  even  so  had  flood,  fire  and  change 
laid  waste  or  altered  their  ornate  possessions.  A  solitary 
pine,  towering  aloft  in  natural  majesty,  alone  survived  to 
mark  the  spot  where  once  a  flourishing  loyal  race  ex- 
tended its  stately  hospitalities,  and  enjoyed  the  sweets  of 
a  home,  the  abode  of  prosperity  and  the  ghelter  of  extra- 
ordinary hereditary  capacity.  A  contrast  so  marked  be- 
tween the  past  and  the  present  moved  even  the  alien,  and 
in  poetic  numbers  he  testified  his  sympathy  and  recorded 
the  desolation : 


'  Historical  Introduction.  xxi 

"  Where  gentle  Bronx  clear  winding  flows 

His  shadowing  banks  between  ; 
Where  blossom'd  bell  and  wilding  rose 

Adorn  the  brightest  green  ; 
Memorials  of  the  fallen  great, 

The  rich  and  honor'd  line, 
Stands  high  in  solitary  state, 

De  Lancey's  ancient  pine. 

"  There,  once  at  early  dawn  array'd, 

The  rural  sports  to  lead, 
The  gallant  master  of  the  glade 

Bestrode  his  eager  steed  ; 
And  once  the  light-foot  maiden  came, 

In  loveliness  divine, 
To  sculpture  with  the  dearest  name, 

De  Lancets  ancient  pine. 

"And  now  the  stranger's  foot  explores 

De  Lancey's  wide  domain, 
And  scarce  one  kindred  heart  restores 

His  memory  to  the  plain  ; 
And  just  like  one  in  age  alone, 

The  last  of  all  his  line 
Bends  sadly  where  the  waters  moan — 

De  Lancey's  ancient  pine. 

"  Oh  greatness !  o'er  thy  final  fall, 

The  feeling  heart  should  mourn. 
Nor  from  de  Lancey's  ancient  Hall 

With  cold  rejoicing  turn  : 
No  !  no  !  the  satiate  stranger  stays 

When  eve's  calm  glories  shine, 
To  weep — as  tells  of  other  days 

De  Laneey's  ancient  pine." 


THE    AMERICAN    LOYALISTS. 


"At  the  conclusion  of  a  long  war,  how  are  we  recompensed  for  the  death  of  multitudes 
and  the  expense  of  millions,  but  by  contemplating  the  sudden  glories  of  paymasters  and 
agents,  contractors  and  commissaries,  whose  equipages  shine  like  meteors,  and  whose 
palaces  rise  like  exhalations."  *  DR.  JOHNSON. 

"  Thus  perished  the  party  of  the  Gironde ;  reckless  in  its  measures,  culpable  for  its 
rashness,  but  illustrious  from  its  talents,  glorious  in  its  fall.  It  embraced  all  the  men  who 
were  philanthropists  from  feeling,  or  Republicans  from  principle  ;  the  brave,  the  humane, 
the  benevolent.  But  with  them  were  also  combined  within  its  ranks  numbers  of  a  baser 
kind  ;  many  who  employed  their  genius  for  the  advancement  of  their  ambition,  and  were 
careless  of  their  country  provided  they  elevated  their  party.  It  was  overthrown  by  a  fac- 
tion of  coarser  materials,  but  more  determined  character,  *  *  *  Adorned  by 
the  most  splendid  talents,  supported  by  the  most  powerful  eloquence,  actuated  at  times 
by  the  most  generous  intentions,  it  perished  *  *  *  Such  ever  has,  and  ever 
will  be,  the  result  of  revolutionary  convulsions  in  society  when  not  steadily  opposed  in 
the  outset  by  a  firm  union  of  the  higher  classes  of  the  community  ;  in  the  collision  of  oppo- 
site factions  the  virtuous  and  the  moderate  will  too  often  be  overcome  by  the  reckless  and 
the  daring.  Prudence  clogs  their  enterprise ;  virtue  checks  their  ambition  ;  humanity 
paralyzes  their  exertions.  They  fall  because  they  recoil  from  the  violence  which  becomes, 
in  disastrous  times,  essential  to  command  success  in  revolutions." 

ALISON'S  " 'History  of  Europe"  II.,  ix.,  214,  2. 

Fortunately  for  the  colonies,  Carleton  was  not  in  favor 
with  the  British  authorities  at  home,  and  Burgoyne,  sub- 
stituted in  1777,  had  neither  the  wisdom  nor  the  generosity 
to  develop  an  element  of  strength  which  Carleton  had  found 
so  efficacious  and  trustworthy.  Clinton,  in  this  regard, 


*  This  sentence  was  adopted  as  the  motto  of  a  £ omewhat  scarce 
"  History  of  the  First  Ten  Years  of  George  III.,"  London,  1788,  written 
by  (Robert  ?)  Macfarlane,  who  kept  an  academy  at  Walthamstow,  in 
Essex  County,  England,  seven  miles  N.N.E.  of  London, 
xxii 


The  American  Loyalists,  xxiii 

imitated  Burgoyne.  The  German,  Knyphausen,  strange 
to  say,  was  the  first  to  perceive  the  truth  and  organize  a 
military  organization  of  the  Loyalists  that  could  be  relied 
on  upon  every  occasion.  He  raised,  in  1779-80,  six  thou- 
sand good  troops  among  the  citizens  of  New  York,  which 
made  this  city — the  grand  base  of  the  British  forces — se- 
cure. A  course  similar  to  that  of  Carleton,  after  the  cap- 
ture of  Savannah  by  Campbell,  in  December,  1778,  enabled 
Prevost  to  convert  Georgia  almost  entirely  from  rebellion 
to  loyalty.  Clinton,  in  1777,  was  as  unwise  on  the  Lower 
Hudson  as  Burgoyne  had  been  on  the  Upper.  Cornwallis 
had  all  the  sense  of  Carleton  without  his  astuteness.  His 
advice  to  the  Loyalists  of  the  Carolinas  was  admirable.  He 
counselled  them  not  to  take  up  arms  and  embody  until  he 
was  near  enough  at  hand  to  protect  and  support  them  ;  until 
they  had  gathered  strength  to  stand  and  go  alone.  His 
policy  in  this  regard  would  have  worked  wonders,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  intervention  of  a  new  element,  which  had 
not  entered  into  the  calculations  of  any  of  the  Royal  com- 
manders. This  was  the  appearance  upon  the  scene  of  the 
mountaineers  of  the  Alleghanies,  who  were  aroused  to 
action  by  the  fugitives  from  the  districts  occupied  by  the 
temporary  victors.  Cornwallis,  although  severe,  was  just ; 
and  it  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  it  was  not  until  1866 
that  a  little  book  appeared,  entitled  "The  Last  Ninety 
Days  of  the  War  in  North  Carolina,"  in  which  justice  is 
done  to  the  previously  misrepresented  Marquis.  Cornwal- 
lis did  hang  a  number ;  but  American  historians  are  very 
careful  not  to  state  that  those  hanged  were  taken  "red 


xxiv  The  American  Loyalists. 

hand,"  "with  American  arms  in  their  hands  and  with 
British  protections  in  their  pockets. "  It  was  only  through 
the  generosity  of  Cornwallis  that  the  Loyalists  with  him 
in  Yorktown  were  enabled  to  get  off  with  safety  when  the 
place  was  taken. 

The  whole  of  this  matter  is  misunderstood,  and  has 
never  been  clearly  placed  before  the  people. 

Too  many  of  the  influential  Loyalists  acted  in  1775-6 
like  the  French  nobility  in  1790-2.  Louis  de  Lomenie,  in 
his  "Comtesse  de  Rochefort  et  ses  Amis"  (p.  297),  has 
some  remarks  on  this  subject  which  are  pertinent. 

"To  explain  so  prompt  a  downfall  of  the  French  aristocracy 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  writers  have  often  urged  the  irresist- 
ible impetuosity  of  the  Democratic  movement.  We  do  not  deny 
this  impetuosity,  but  it  is  nevertheless  necessary  to  recognize 
that  if  this  aristocracy,  in  place  of  being  a  mere  shadow  of  what 
it  should  have  been,  had  retained  the  vigor  of  an  effective  patri- 
ciate (higher  or  better  class)  and  a  living  body,  it  would  not  with- 
out utility,  perhaps,  for  the  cause  of  liberty,  have  tempered  the 
revolutionary  movement,  or,  at  least,  have  opposed  to  it  a  stronger 
resistance  than  it  did.  It  was  broken  at  the  first  shock,  because 
this  formerly  flourishing  branch  of  the  great  national  tree" 

was  not  true  to  itself.  Lomenie  goes  on  to  give  other  rea- 
sons which  were  peculiar  to  France,  whereas  in  America, 
although  the  causes  were  apparently  different,  they  were 
at  bottom  the  same,  viz.:  the  better  classes  had  "given 
hostages  to  fortune,"  and  this,  according  to  the  proverbs 
of  all  time,  unnerves  men  until  it  is  too  late. 

It  is  inconceivable  how  the  Loyalist  strength  in  the  co- 
lonies was  misapplied,  frittered  away  or  wasted.  The  re- 


The  American  Loyalists.  xxv 

suit  only  shows  that  in  all  revolutions  the  Middle  or 
Neutral — generally  styled  the  Conservative — party  only 
embarrass  the  Ultras  on  one  side  in  support  of  the  govern- 
ment, and  aid  the  .Radicals,  on  the  other  side,  by  attempt- 
ing to  arrest  or  mediate  ;  thus  affording  time  for  the  organi- 
zation of  the  latter,  which  converts  rebellion  into  revolution. 
In  all  political  crises  or  cataclysms,  a  renaissance 
through  blood,  the  best,  the  conservative  class,  the  cham- 
pions of  right,  pure  and  simple,  furnish  the  first  and  the 
bulk  of  the  victims.  Thus  it  was  in  America.  The  daring 
and  reckless  with  comparatively  little  to  lose,  with  grand 
exceptions,  it  is  true,  fell  upon  the  intellectual  and  wealthy, 
who  adhered  to  the  government  under  which  they  had 
thriven.  The  myrmidons  of  the  Crown — selfish,  indolent, 
self-satisfied  professionals — were  as  cruel  in  their  inaction  as 
the  leaders  of  faction  were  merciless  in  their  exactions.  The 
persecution  of  the  Tories  was  determined  with  cold-blooded 
calculation,  since  the  Saxon  can  not  plead  in  excuse  the 
excitability  of  the  Celtic  or  Latin  races ;  what  he  does  he 
does  advisedly.  Nor  was  the  desertion  of  the  Loyalists 
at  the  Peace  of  Paris,  1783,  less  disgraceful  on  the  part 
of  Great  Britain.  It  was  fiercely  denounced  in  the  House 
of  Commons ;  it  was  justly  stigmatized  in  the  House  of 
Lords.  Even  Lord  St.  Germain  redeemed  himself  in  a 
measure  by  his  eloquent  advocacy  of  the  brave  party 
who  had  abandoned  everything  for  honor — principle,  the 
mother-country;  its  highest  representative  of  these,  the 
Crown.  Ldrenzo  Sabine  has  demonstrated  all  this,  laid 
open  the  iniquity,  revealed  the  truth,  vindicated  the 


xxvi  The  American  Loyalists. 

Loyalists  or  Tories  ;  for  the  term  Tory,  as  used  in  re- 
gard to  a  party  adverse  to  Rebellion  or  Revolution,  dur- 
ing 1775  to  1783,  is  a  title  of  honor  and  not  a  term  of 
reproach. 

When  the  difficulties  between  the  Crown  and  the 
Colonies  first  began  to  develop  into  positive  ideas  of  ulti- 
mate resistance  on  the  side  of  the  latter,  the  party  for  inde- 
pendence was  in  a  comparatively  small  minority  and  con- 
fined to  particular  disaffected  localities.  If  the  whole  popu- 
lation had  then  resolved  itself  into  two  camps,  the  matter 
might  have  been  decided  promptly  and  for  many  years  to 
come.  As  it  happened,  those  who  had  much  to  lose  were 
too  timid  to  act  instantly  and  resolutely ;  and  those  who  had 
little  or  nothing  to  lose  became  bolder  and  bolder  in  the  pres- 
ence of  an  irresolute  antagonism,  which  was  not  backed  by 
a  military  force  sufficient  absolutely  to  overawe.  Massachu- 
setts was  unquestionably  in  earnest  from  the  first ;  but  an- 
tagonism to  the  Crowji  was  its  normal  condition.  It  had 
always  been  the  hot-bed  of  what  might  be  harshly  termed, 
from  a  British'  point  of  view,  sedition.  Although  the 
first  bloodshed  occurred  in  New  York,  on  the  19th-20th 
January,  1770,  it  would  not  have  led  to  any  comparatively 
general  outbreak,  had  it  not  been  for  the  terrible  uproar 
following  the  second  bloodshed  at  Boston,  5th  March, 
1770,  and  the  consequences  which  ensued  from  the  latter. 
The  very  assemblage  which  considered  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  in  1776,  did  not  unanimously  vote  or  agree 
in  the  act  to  sever  the  connection  between  the  colonies  and 
the  mother  country.  The  date  accepted,  4th  of  July,  is  in- 


The  American  Loyalists.  xxvii 

correct ;  and  the  Declaration  was  juggled  through,  and  the 
signatures  were  appended  from  time  to  time  throughout  the 
year,  if  not  a  longer  period.  This  accounts  for  the  irre- 
gular manner  they  appear  on  the  document,  since  the  latest 
were  inserted  wherever  a  vacant  space  was  found.  It  be- 
came a  sort  of  test  oath. 

The  Judge  published  an  admirable  burlesque,  or  pa- 
rody, or  caricature  of  Trumbull's  famous  picture  of  "The 
Signing."  It  depicts  the  representatives  in  very  dilapi- 
dated conditions,  with  blackened  eyes,  bruised  bodies,  torn 
clothes  and  general  tokens  of  an  affray,  drawing  near  to  affix 
their  signatures  at  the  table  where  Hancock  presides  look- 
ing like  the  genius  of  an  Irish  wake.  There  is  as  much 
truth  as  poetry  in  the  conception,  for  the  Declaration  was 
not  agreed  to  with  anything  like  unanimity  or  the  generally 
conceived  harmony. 

There  is  something  very  curious  about  the  respect  as- 
tached  to  this  "4th  of  July."  The  first  Congress  of  the 
Colonies  signed  a  "Compact  of  Union"  (K.  W.  G.'sG.W. 
and  his  Gens.,"  II.,  15),  on  the  4th  of  July,  1754,  at  Al- 
bany. This  may  account  for  the  selection  of  this  day  in 
1776.  The  fact  that  two  of  our  ex-Presidents,  who  had 
signed  the  Declaration,  died  on  the  same  date,  added  ad- 
ditional significance,  which  a  series  of  victories,  from  East 
to  "West  along  the  whole  line  on  the  same  day,  in  1863, 
confirmed  in  the  minds  of  the  people. 

The  Loyalists,  confiding  in  the  power  of  the  Crown, 
did  not  take  up  arms  as  soon  as  their  adversaries ;  and 
thus,  when  they  did  begin  to  embody,  they  were  at  once 
5 


XXV111 


The  American  Loyalists. 


crushed  by  stronger  and  better  organized  masses.  The 
British  professional  leaders — as  a  rule  throughout  all  time, 
and  especially  in  this  country — with  the  usual  arrogance 
of  their  caste,  neither  sought  to  utilize,  support  nor  protect 
their  friends  when  they  did  come  together,  and  even 
treated  them  witli  superciliousness  and  neglect,  if  they  did 
not  absolutely  sacrifice  them  when  they  appeared  as  auxil- 
iaries. Carleton  was  the  first  who  had  the  wisdom  to 
call  this  element  into  play,  and  through  it  he  saved  Canada, 
just  as  the  French  had  previously  lost  New  France  through 
a  contrary  course  to  his,  amounting  to  the  same  subsequent 
lack  of  judgment  on  the  part  of  the  royal  British  military 
governors. 


SIR    JOHN    JOHNSON, 

KNIGHT  AND  BARONET. 

BORN  5TH  Nov.,  1742.     DIED  4TH  JAN.,  1830. 


"The  Past  appeals  to  the  impartiality  of  the  Future.  History  replies.  But,  often, 
generations  pass  away  ere  that  reply  can  be  given  in  a  determinate  form.  For  not 
until  the  voices  of  contemporaneous  panegyric  and  censure  are  hushed  ;  not  until  passionate 
pulses  have  ceased  to  beat ;  not  until  flattery  has  lost  its  power  to  charm,  and  calumny  to 
vilify,  can  the  verdict  of  history  be  pronounced.  Then  from  the  clouds  of  error  and  pre- 
judice the  sun  of  truth  emerges,  and  light  is  diffused  in  bright  rays,  of  ever  increasing 
refulgency  and  breadth.  *  *  *  Every  age  has  its  own  heroes — men  who  seem  to  em- 
body the  prevailing  characteristics  of  their  relative  epochs,  and  to  present  to  after  ages 
the  idealized  expression  of  their  chief  tendencies.  Such  men  must  be  judged  by  no  ordi- 
nary standard.  History  must  view  their  actions  as  a  whole,  not  subject  them  to  separate 
tests,  or  examine  them  through  the  lenses  of  partial  criticism  and  narrow-minded  prejudice." 
OSCAR  II.,  King  of  Sweden,  in  his  "Life  of  Charles  XII." 

"  I  would  serve  my  king ; 
Serve  him  with  all  my  fortune  here  at  home, 
And  serve  him  with  my  person  in  the  wars  ; 
Watch  for  him,  fight  for  him,  bleed  for  him,  and  die  for  him, 
As  every  true-born  subject  ought !" 

THOMAS  OTWAY'S  Tragedy,  "The  Orphan"  1680. 

Perhaps  no  man  in  ' '  the  Colonies ' '  who  adhered  to 
the  Crown,  has  been  so  cruelly  misjudged  and  consistently 
misrepresented  as  Sir  John  Johnson.  Every  possible 
charge,  derogatory  to  him,  has  been  raked  up  and 
brought  out  against  him.  Why?  Because  he  did  not 
submit  quietly  to  what  he  deemed  injustice,  but  struck 
back  boldly  and  severely — made  himself  felt,  made  those 
xxix 


xxx  Sir  John  Johnson. 

suffer  who  caused  him  to  suffer.  He  was  the  only  Loyal- 
ist who  had  the  opportunity  to  force  the  bitter  chalice 
which  he  had  been  compelled  to  drain,  back  upon  the  lips 
of  those  who  filled  it  for  him,  and  in  turn  obliged  them  to 
quaff  the  same  hateful  draught.  The  de  Lanceys  and  many 
other  Loyalists  fought  just  as  boldly  and  as  bitterly,  and 
as  persistently,  but  they  never  had  the  same  opportunity 
as  Sir  John  to  make  every  fibre  of  antagonism  quiver. 

The  father  of  Sir  John  Johnson — the  subject  of  this  me- 
moir— was  the  famous  Sir  William  Johnson,  Bart.,  Colo- 
nel in  the  Koyal  Army,  Major-General  in  the  Provincial 
service  and  British  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs. 
This  gentleman  was,  perhaps,  the  most  prominent  man  in 
the  province  of  New  York  during  the  decade  which  preceded 
the  Declaration  of  Independence.  Peter  Van  Schaack,  a 
very  noted  lawyer  of  the  period,  wrote,  July,  1774,  a  few 
days  after  the  Baronet's  decease :  "I  own,  I  consider  him 
as  the  GREATEST  CHARACTER  OF  THE  AGE.  ' '  If  ever  there 
was  a  leader  who  deserved  the  Corona  Oleagina*  of 
the  Romans,  it  was  Sir  William.  Whether  a  Jansen — a 
descendant  of  one  of  those  indomitable  Hollanders  who 
assisted  to  subdue  Ireland,  and  anglicised  their  names — 
or  of  English  race,  proper,  Sir  William  was  a  strong  ex- 
ample of  those  common-sense  men  who  know  how  to 
seize  Fortune  by  the  forelock  and  not  clutch  in  vain  the 


*  This  Corona  Oleagina,  was  a  wreath  of  olive  leaves  and  the  re- 
ward of  a  commander  through  whose  instrumentality  a  triumph  had 
been  obtained  though  not  himself  in  the  action  by  which  it  was 
achieved.  AUL.  GELL.,  V.,  6. ;  RICH.  DJCT.,  R.  &  G.  A. 


Sir  John  Johnson.  xxxi 

tresses  which  flow  down  her  receding  hack.  He  opened 
to  emigration  two  of  the  most  productive  valleys  in 
the  world — the  Mohawk  and  Schoharie;  and  with  the 
development  of  their  riches  rose  himself  to  a  height  of 
opulence  and  influence  unequalled  in  the  "Thirteen 
Colonies."  Just  in  his  dealings  with  all  men,  he  was 
particularly  so  with  the  Indians,  and  acquired  a  power 
over  the  latter  such  as  no  other  individual  ever  possessed. 
Transferred  from  civil  jurisdiction  to  military  command  he 
exhibited  no  less  ability  in  the  more  dangerous  exigen- 
cies of  war,  than  in  the  laborious  services  of  peace. 
He,  it  was,  who  first  stemmed  the  tide  of  French 
invasion,  and  turned  it  at  Lake  George,  in  1755 ;  re- 
ceiving both  from  his  sovereign  and  from  Parliament 
a  grateful  recognition  of  his  extraordinary  services. 
Nor  were  the  people  of  the  Province  of  New  York  less 
demonstrative  in  their  applause  or  appreciative  of  his 
achievements.  At  "Johnson  Hall"  he  lived  in  truly 
baronial  state,  and  no  other  provincial  magnate  ever  ex- 
hibited such  aifluence  and  grandeur  as  was  displayed  by 
him  in  his  castle  and  home  (Fort  Johnson)  on  the  Mohawk. 
His  greatest  achievement,  in  immediate  as  well  as 
ultimate  results,  was  his  victory  at  Lake  George  over  the 
veteran  Dieskau,  8th  August,  1755.  New  England, 
always  jealous  of  New  York,  has  endeavored  as  usual 
to  transfer  the  laurels  from  Johnson  to  one  of  her  own 
people.  As  king,  country  and  countrymen  accorded  the 
honor  and  reward  to  Johnson,  "success,"  in  his  case, 
"proved  the -test  of  merit."  That  there  were  New  Eng- 


xxxii       .  Sir  John  Johnson. 

landers  who  could  estimate  Johnson  at  his  true  value,  let 
the  folio  wing  letter  (Stone's  "Sir  W.  J.,"  L,  521)  attest.  It 
is  from  Surgeon  Williams,  of  Massachusetts,  to  his  wife  in 
Deerfield  in  that  colony.  It  bears  the  date  of  the  very 
day  of  the  battle,  which,  by  the  way,  was  exactly  a  month 
less  a  day  subsequent  to  Braddock's  defeat;  the  Provin- 
cial by  his  ability  redeeming  in  New  York  the  incapacity 
of  the  Professional  and  Regular  in  Pennsylvania:" 

"I  must  say,"  wrote  Williams,  "he  [Johnson]  is  a  complete 
gentleman,  and  willing  to  please  and  oblige  all  men;  familiar 
and  free  of  access  to  the  lowest  sentinel ;  a  gentleman  of  un- 
common smart  sense  and  even  temper;  never  saw  him  in  a 
ruffle,  or  use  any  bad  language — in  short,  I  never  was  so  dis- 
appointed in  a  person  in  the  idea  I  had  of 'him  before  I  came 
from  home,  in  my  life ;  to  sum  up,  he  is  almost  universally  be- 
loved and  esteemed  by  officers  and  soldiers  as  a  second  Marl- 
borough  for  coolnsss  of  head  and  warmness  of  heart" 

His  next  exploit,  scarcely  less  notable  and  resultive,  was 
the  defeat  of  a  superior  French  force  seeking  to  relieve 
Fort  Niagara,  and  his  capture  of  this  noted  stronghold, 
24th  July,  1759.  The  distinguished  British  general  and 
military  historian,  Sir  Edward  Oust,  in  his  "Annals  of 
the  Wars,"  refers  in  the  following  language  to  this  not- 
able exploit  of  Sir  William:  '-'This  gentleman,  like  Olive, 
was  a  self-taught  general,  who,  by  dint  of  innate  courage 
and  natural  sagacity,  without  the  help  of  a  military  edu- 
cation or  military  experience,  rivalled,  if  not  eclipsed  the 
greatest  commanders.  Sir  William  Johnson  omitted  no- 
thing to  continue  the  vigorous  measures  of  the  late  gene- 


Sir  John  Johnson.  xxxiii 

ral  [Prideaux,  killed]  and  ad$ed  to  them  everything  his 
own  genius  could  suggest.  The  troops,  who  respected, 
and  the  provincials,  who  adored  him,"  were  not  less  de- 
voted than  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians,  who  gladly  fol- 
lowed his  own  ever  fortunate  banner  and  the  less  fortunate 
guidon  of  his  no  less  valiant  and  loyal  son. 

Thus,  with  a  sway  hard  to  comprehend  at  the  present 
day,  beloved,  respected  and  feared  by  law-breakers  and 
evil-doers,  the  mortal  enemies  of  his  semi-civilized  wards — 
the  Six  Nations — he  lived  a  life  of  honor ;  and  died,  not 
by  his  own  hand,  as  stated  by  prejudiced  tradition,  but  a 
victim  to  a  chronic  debilitating  disease,  and  to  that  ener- 
gy which,  although  it  never  bent  in  the  service  of  king  or 
country,  had  to  yield  to  years  and  nature.  Sick,  and 
thereby  unequal  to  the  demands  of  public  business,  he 
presided  at  a  council,  llth  July,  1774,  spoke  and  directed, 

until  his' ebbing  strength  failed,  and  could  not  be  restored 

i 

by  the  inadequate  remedial  measures  at  hand  on  the  bor- 
ders of  the  wilderness.  To  no  one  man  does  central 
New  York  owe  so  much  of  her  physical  development  as 
to  Sir  William  Johnson. 

Wedded,  in  1739,  to  a  Hollandish  or  German  maiden, 
amply  endowed  with  the  best  gifts  of  nature,  both  physical 
and  mental,  "good  sound  sense,  and  a  mild  and  gentle 
disposition,"  Sir  William  was  by  her  the  father  of  one 
son,  born  in  1742,  and  two  daughters.  The  latter  are 
sufficiently  described  in  a  charming,  well-known  book, 
entitled  "The  Memoirs  of  an  American  Lady" — Mrs. 
Grant,  of  Laggan.  The  former  was  Sir  John  Johnson,  a 


xxxiv  Sir  John  Johnson. 

more  heroic  representative  of  the  transition  era  of  this 
State,  than  those  whom  Success,  and  its  Dupe — History, 
have  placed  in  the  national  "Walhalla."  .While  yet  a 
youth  this  son  accompanied  his  father  to  his  fields  of  battle, 
and,  when  the  generality  of  boys  are  at  school  or  college, 
witnessed  two  of  the  bloodiest  conflicts  on  which  the  fate 
of  the  colony  depended.  He  had  scarcely  attained  major- 
ity when  he  was  entrusted  with  an  independent  command, 
and  in  it  displayed  an  ability,  a  fortitude,  and  a  judg- 
ment worthy  of  riper  years  and  wider  experience. 

Sent  out  to  England  by  his  father  in  1765,  "to  try  to 
wear  off  the  rusticity  of  a  country  education,"  immediately 
upon  his  presentation  at  court  he  received  from  his 
sovereign  an  acknowledgment — partly  due  to  the  reputa- 
tion of  his  parent,  and  partly  to  his  own  tact  and  capacity 
— such  as  stands  alone  in  colonial  history.  Although  his 
father,  Sir  William,  was  already  a  knight  and  baronet  for 
service  to  the  crown,  John  was  himself  knighted,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-three ;  and  thus  the  old-new  baronial  hall 
at  Johnstown  sheltered  two .  recipients,  in  the  same  family 
and  generation,  of  the  accolade  of  chivalry.  There  is  no 
parallel  to  this  double  knighthood  in  American  biography, 
and  but  few  in  the  family  annals  of  older  countries. 

This  was  the  era  when  ' ;  New  York  was  in  its  happiest 
state." 

In  the  summer  of  1773,  and  in  his  thirtieth  year,  Sir 
John  Johnson  married  the  beautiful  Mary — or,  as  she  was 
affectionately  called,  "Polly" — Watts,  aged  nineteen. 


Sir  John  Johnson.  xxxv 

Mrs.  Grant,  of  Laggan,  has  left  us  a  charming  pen-portrait 
of  this  bright  maiden. 

Inheriting  his  father's  dignities  and  responsibilities, 
Sir  John  Johnson  could  not  have  been  otherwise  than  a 
champion  of  his  sovereign's  rights.  If  he  had  turned  his 
coat  to  save  his  property,  like  some  of  the  prominent 
patriots,  he  would  have  been  a  renegade,  if  not  worse. 
Some  of  the  lights  of  patriotism  had  already  cast  longing 
glances  upon  his  rich  possessions  in  the  Mohawk  Valley. 
Its  historian  intimates  (Simms,  120)  that  in  a  successful 
rebellion  the  latter  counted  upon  dividing  his  princely 
domains  into  snug  little  farms  for  themselves.  The  germ 
of  anti-rentism  was  developing  already ;  although  it  took 
over  sixty  to  seventy  years  to  thoroughly  enlist  legislative 
assistance,  and  perfect  spoliation  in  the  guise  of  modern 
agrarian  law.  Surrounded  by  a  devoted  tenantry,  backed 
by  those  "Romans  of  America,"  the  "Six  Nations," 
those  "Indians  of  the  Indians,"  the  Iroquois,  it  was  not 
easy  "to  bell  the  cat"  by  force.  It  is  neither  politic  nor 
intended  to  revive  hereditary  animosities  by  the  mention 
of  names.  Sufficient  to  say,  might  prevailed  over  right, 
and  Sir  John  was  placed  under  what  the  Albany  Com- 
mittee choose  to  define  a  "parole."  Modern  courts  of 
inquiry,  especially  in  the  United  States  since  1860,  have 
decided  that  such  a  vague  system  of  paroling  is  in  itself 
invalid,  and  that  individuals  subjected  to  such  a  procedure 
are  absolved  de  facto  from  any  pledges. 

It  is  both  persistent  and  popular  to  charge  Sir  John  with 
having  broken  his  parole.     Before  even  entering  into  the 
6 


xxxvi  Sir  John  Johnson. 

question,  it  is  simple  justice  to  rebut  the  charge  by  denial. 
His  superiors  did  not  recognize  it,  and  able  men  acquainted 
with  military  law  are  not  unanimous  in  holding  that  a 
parole,  imposed,  as  it  was  upon  him,  was  binding  either  in 
law  or  honor.  But,  even  if  it  were  valid,  he  did  not  break 
it,  since  the  very  self-constituted  authority  that  imposed  it, 
abrogated  it  by  its  own  action. 

There  are  two  parties  to  every  contract,  legal,  equitable 
or  honorable,  and  if  one  party  uses  duplicity  and  manifests 
the  intention  to  alter  an  agreement  by  a  procedure  which 
would  completely  change  the  relation  of  the  parties,  what- 
ever, great  or  small,  could  come  within  or  under  the  legal 
signification  of  fraud,  or  even  deception,  or  "a  snare," 
abrogates  every  contract.  If  Sir  John  gave  a  parole  to 
any  parties  having  power  to  exact  it,  he  was  entitled  to 
every  right  and  privilege  conferred  by  a  parole.  If  using 
the  parole  as  a  blind,  those  by  whom  it  was  exacted,  un- 
dertook to  withdraw  it  simultaneously  with  the  substitu- 
tion of  an  order  for  his  arrest  and  close  and  severe  confine- 
ment, and  the  latter  could  only  be  effected  by  treachery 
to  the  obligations  of  the  former,  common  justice  must 
concede  that  the  discovery  of  such  an  intention  put 
an  end  to  the  obligation  of  the  parole.  The  treatment  of 
Lady  Johnson  subsequent  to  her  husband's  escape  is  the 
very  best  proof  of  the  animus  which  dictated  the  course 
against  Sir  John.  If  a  body  in  authority  could  hold  the 
utmost  penalty  over  the  head  of  a  helpless  woman,  detained 
as  a  hostage,  it  is  only  fair  to  believe  that  there  would  have 
been  no  mercy  shown  to  the  defiant  husband.  The  little 


Sir  John  Johnson.  xxxvii 

rare  work  already  cited  in  these  pages  as  an  authority, 
"  The  Adventures  of  a  Lady  in  the  War  of  Independence 
in  America,"  sets  forth  the  cruelty  exhibited  towards  Lady 
Johnson,  and,  until  that  can  be  shown  to  be  false,  it  must 
be  accepted  as  a  trustworthy  witness. 

The  treatment  of  Madame  de  Lavalette,  by  the  French 
government,  for  co-operating  in  the  escape  of  her  husband, 
condemned  to  death  for  his  adherence  to  Napoleon  in  1815, 
has  always  been  considered  an  indellible  stigma  upon  it. 
General  Gust  pronounces  him  innocent  of  "treachery." 
Still,  although  this  lady  suffered  a  rigorous  solitary  con- 
finement of  twenty-sfx  days,  no  one  dreamed,  even  at  this 
period,  of  the  intensest  feeling  and  bitterest  animosity,  or 
intimated,  that  she  should,  or  would  be,  held  as  a  hostage 
for  the  conduct  of  her  husband.  "Now,  Madam,"  is  the 
language  addressed  to  Lady  Johnson,  as  quoted  by  her 
daughter-in-law,  Mrs.  Colonel  Christopher  Johnson,  "My 
command  does  not  extend  beyond  this  province ;  but,  if 
Sir  John  comes  one  foot  within  my  district  with  his  mur- 
derous allies — your  fate  is  sealed !  "How,  sir;  what  do 
you  mean?  "What can  I  do  !  "  gasped  the  lady,  overcome 
for  the  moment  by  the  information  and  the  manner  in 
which  it  was  conveyed.  "I  mean,  Madam,  that  if  your 
husband  lets  his  Indians  go  on  scalping  our  people,  we  can't 
prevent  then  shooting  you  *  *  Your  case,  Madam,  is 
different  from  all  others.  Sir  John  [Col.  Guy  was  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Indians,  not  Sir  John]  has  power  over  the 
Indians,  whom  no  one  else  can  control.  We  have  no  wish 
to  injure  you  individually ;  but  we  must  save  our  people 


xxxviii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

from  his  savages.  We  hold  you  and  your  children  as  host- 
ages /  and  we  consider  that  another  such  descent  as  the 

Indians  made  yesterday  on  the  village  of ,  will  justify 

us  in  the  eyes  of  the  whole  world  in  avenging  the 
slaughter  of  many  women  and  children,  as  helpless  and 
more  innocent  than  yourself!  " 

A  prominent  major-general,  a  regular  officer,  dis- 
tinguished in  his  profession  as  well  as  with  his  pen,  to 
whom  the  question  of  this  parole  was  submitted,  decided 
in  favor  of  Sir  John,  and  a  lawyer  of  standing  and  an 
historian  of  ability  has  argued  this  question  at  length  in 
his  Notes,  xxx.,  xxxi.,  to  the  "History  of  New  York,"  by 
Judge  Thomas  Jones,  who,  likewise,  exonerates  Sir  John. 
Mr.  de  Lancey  after  furnishing  his  proofs,  sums  up  the 
matter  in  these  words :  "  The  common  charge  of  historical 
writers,  that  Sir  John  broke  his  parole,  is  therefore  "  with- 
out foundation  and  untrue"* 

In  a  conversation  with  Gen.  B.  B.  C ,  had  5-3-80, 

discussing  the  question  of  paroles,  this  gentleman, 
author  of  "Battles  of  the  American  Revolution,"  who 
had  given  the  closest  attention  to  original  documents  at 
home  and  in  England,  furnished  additional  arguments  as 
to  the  impossibility  of  the  right  to  impose  a  parole  on 
Sir  John.  Johnson  was  put  upon  parole,  so  called,  by 


*  In  the  Appendices  ("Proofs  Considered")  to  the  writer's  Address 
on  Sir  John  Johnson,  Bart.,  delivered  before  the  New  York  Historical 
Society,  at  its  annual  meeting,  6th  January,  1880,  Mr.  de  Lancey  has  not 
only  been  quoted  at  length,  but  additional  evidence  printed  derived 
from  other  and  various  sources. 


Sir  John  Jolmxnn.  xxxix 

those  who  were  styling  themselves  at  the  time  "faithful 
subjects  of  his  Majesty."  If  faithful  subjects,  how  had 
Sir  John  rendered  himself  liable  when  the  original  charges 
against  him  were  "subsequently  proved  false?" 

There  are  some  curious  circumstances  connected  with 
this  consideration  would  require  a  lawyer's  brief  to  make 
them  plain  to  common  observation.  Sufficient  to  say, 
everything  turns  on  the  success  of  the  Revolution.  Might 
made  right,  and  Sir  John,  who  if  the  Crown  had  won 
would  have  been  exalted  to  the  seventh  heaven  of  honor, 
since  the  mother  country  failed,  is  thrust  down  into  the 
lowest  nether  depths  by  those  who  rose  on  his  fall  and 
profited  by  the  confiscation  of  his  extensive  estates.  Such 
is  human  judgment.  It  is  to  be  hoped  the  same  law  does 
not  rule  elsewhere.  If,  however,  it  was  a  simple  exem- 
plification of  "might  makes  right,"  there  is  no  more 
to  be  said.  That  is  the  supreme  law  of  this  country  to- 
day ;  no  other. 

Here  it  is  not  only  pertinent  but  just  to  remark,  that 
Count  d'Estaing,  the  first  French  Commander  who 
brought  assistance  to  this  country,  had  notoriously  broken 
his  parole,  and  yet  American  writers  have  never  alluded 
to  the  fact  as  prejudicial  to  his  honor.  It  did  not  serve 
their  purpose.  The  French  held  that  Washington  once 
violated  his  parole;  and  Michelet,  a  devoted  friend  to 
liberty  and  this  country,  feelingly  refers  to  the  case  of 
Jumonville,  to  demonstrate  one  of  the  heart-burnings 
which  France  had  to  overcome  in  lending  assistance  to 
the  revolted  colonies.  Marshall,  in  his  "Life  of  Wash- 


xl  Sir  John  Johnson. 

ington, ' '  enters  into  a  detailed  explanation  of  this  event ;  but 
it  only  shows  that  if  national  antagonism  is  so  difficult  to 
reconcile,  how  much  more  so  is  the  intenser  spite  of  civil 
differences  after  blood  has  been  shed.  How  many  South- 
ern officers,  in  spite  of  their  paroles,  met  the  Union  troops 
on  battlefield  after  battlefield.  Regiments  and  brigades, 
if  not  divisions,  paroled  at  Vicksburg,  were  encountered, 
it  is  averred,  within  a  few  weeks  in  the  conflicts  around 
Chattanooga.  French  generals,  paroled  by  the  Prussians, 
it  has  also  been  charged,  did  not  hesitate  to  accept  active 
commands  in  even  the  shortest  space  of  time.  Circum- 
stances alter  cases,  and  under  those  which  govern  in  re- 
spect to  him,  the  charge  against  Sir  John  was  a  pretext ; 
but,  weak  as  it  is,  it  is  not  true.  Power  in  all  ages  has 
not  been  delicate  in  its  choice  of  means  to  destroy  a  dan- 
gerous antagonist. 

It  would  have  been  well  for  some  of  the  noblest  histor- 
ical victims,  such  as  Abner,  Amasa,  Sertorius,  Yiriathus, 
Abd  el-Kader,  Osceola, — if  they  had  comprehended  the 
spirit  of  these  verses  (Ecclesiasticus  xii.,  10,  16)  as  well  as 
the  reply  of  van  der  Does,  in  Leyden,  to  the  Spanish 
general  Yaldez,  besieging  the  place : 

"The  fowler  plays  sweet  notes  on  his  pipe  when  he 
spreads  his  net  for  the  bird." 

Sir  John  was  to  have  been  simultaneously  released  from 
his  parole  and  made  a  prisoner.  The  officer  who  carried 
the  communication  discharging  Sir  John  from  his  parole, 
was  the  bearer  also  of  directions  to  arrest  him  as  soon  as 
he  had  read  it,  "and  make  him  a  close  prisoner,  and  care- 


Sir  John  Johnson.  xli 

fully  guard  him  that  he  may  not  have  the  least  opportunity 
to  escape."  Sir  John  had  some  friends  among  those  who 
were  now  in  power,  and  received  intelligence  of  what  was 
going  on.  He  exercised  ordinary  discretion,  and  escaped 
before  the  trap — a  "snare,"  as  Lossing  styles  it — could 
be  sprung  upon  him. 

Sir  John  fled,  but  he  did  not  fly  unaccompanied ;  and 
among  his  subsequent  associates,  officers  and  soldiers, 
were  men  of  as  good  standing  as  those  who  remained  be- 
hind to  profit  by  the  change  of  authority.  Many  of  the 
latter,  however,  expiated  their  sins  or  errors  on  the  day 
of  reckoning  at  Oriskany. 

"  Sir  John,  after  nineteen  days  of  inconceivable  hardships, 
reached  Montreal  with  his  companions  in  a  state  of  fatigue  and 
destitution  which  they  could  not  have  survived  many  days 
longer.  The  regular  roads  were  so  entirely  occupied  by  the 
rebels,  that  they  had  to  take  a  circuitous  route  through  the 
thickets  of  the  forests.  The  few  provisions  the  Indians  had 
prepared  were  soon  exhausted,  and  they  had  to  subsist  on  roots  ; 
their  boots  and  clothes  were  completely  destroyed,  and  when 
they  reached  the  shores  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  it  was  difficult  to 
recognize  or  understand  the  gaunt  spectres  who  emerged  from 
the  '  bush,'  to  seek  shelter  and  a  passage  across  [the  St.  Law- 
rence] from  the  wondering  '  habitans'  of  the  first  settlement 
they  came  to.  But  a  few  weeks  sufficed  to  restore  Sir  John  to 
his  usual  vigor,  both  of  mind  and  body ;  and,  before  he  was  able 
to  assume  an  active  command,  he  was  at  work  organizing  a 
force  of  Loyalists,  of  which  he  is  the  colonel,  and  his  frequent 
irruptions  into  the  territory  held  by  the  Continentals,  as  they 
call  themselves,  were  the  causes  of  your  [Lady  Johnson's]  being 
removed  from  Albany.  He  is  charged  by  them  with  having 
broken  his  word  of  honor,  pledged  that  he  would  remain  pas- 


xlii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

sive ;  but  we  all  knoio  that  his  person  would  have  been  seized,  had 
he  remained  that  night  [when  Col.  Dayton  arrived]  at  the  Hall.'1'' 
Stone,  in  his  '  Life  of  Brant'  (I.,  144),  corroborates  this.  'After 
nineteen  days  of  severe  hardship,  the  Baronet  and  his  partisans 
arrived  at  Montreal  in  a  pitiable  condition — having  encountered 
all  of  suffering  that  it  seemed  possible  for  man  to  endure.' 
Stone  then  adds  (Ibid,  144),  and  he  presents  almost  the  identical 
idea  of  the  magnanimous  Sabine  (I.,  581):  'Sir  John  was 
immediately  commissioned  a  colonel  in  the  British  service,  and 
raised  a  command  of  two  battalions,  composed  of  those  who 
accompanied  him  in  his  flight,  and  other  American  loyalists  who 
subsequently  followed  their  example.  They  were  called  the 
'Royal  Greens.'  In  the  month  of  January  following,  he  found 
his  way  into  New  York,  then  in  possession  of  the  British 
forces.  From  that  period  he  became,  not  only  one  of  the  most 
active,  but  one  of  the  bitterest  foes  of  his  own  countrymen 
of  any  who  were  engaged  in  that  contest — and  repeatedly  the 
scourge  of  his  own  former  neighbors.  He  was  unquestionably 
a  loyalist  from  principle,  else  he  would  scarcely  have  hazarded, 
as  he  did,  and  ultimately  lost,  domains  larger  and  fairer  than 
probably  ever  belonged  to  a  single  proprietor  in  America, 
Willian  Penn  only  excepted." 

Sabine  (I.,  581)  observes:  "It  is  thought  that  he  was  a 
conscientious  loyalist ;  and  this  may  be  allowed.  He  lived  in 
a  style  of  luxury  and  splendor  which  few  country  gentlemen 
in  America  possessed  the  means  to  support.  His  domains 
were  as  large  and  as  fair  as  those  of  any  colonist  of  his  time, 
the  estate  of  Lord  Fairfax  only  excepted;  and  no  American 
hazarded  more,  probably,  in  the  cause  of  the  Crown.  Faith- 
fulness to  duty  is  never  a  crime;  and,  if  he  sacrificed  his  home, 
his  fortune,  and  his  country,  for  his  principles,  he  deserves 
admiration.  *  *  *  The  conduct  of  the  Whigs 
towards  him  may  have  heen  harsh,  and,  in  the  beginning,  too 
harsh  for  his  offences." 

The  majority  of  those  who  were  most  active  in  wrong- 


Sir  John  Johnson.  xliii 

ing  the  family  of  Sir  William  Johnson  experienced  severe , 
punishment,  either  in  themselves  or  their  surroundings, 
and  the  consequences  of  their  injustice  threatened  to  undo 
the  work  of  a  century  and  make  Schenectady  once  more  a 
frontier  town. 

Not  able  to  seize  the  man  (Sir  John),  disappointment 
determined  to  capture  a  woman.  The  victim  was  his  wife. 
Why  ?  The  answer  is  in  the  words  of  a  letter  preserved  in 
the  series  of  the  well-known  Peter  Force,  which  says:  "It 
is  the  general  opinion  of  people  in  Tryon  County,  that 
while  Lady  Johnson  is  kept  as  a  kind  of  hostage,  Sir 
John  will  not  carry  matters  to  excess."  Lady  Johnson 
must  have  been  a  bold  woman  ;.  for  even  when  under  con- 
straint, and  in  the  most  delicate  condition  that  a  woman 
can  be,  she  exulted  in  the  prospects  of  quickly  hearing 
that  Sir  John  would  speedily  ravage  the  country  on  the 
Mohawk  river  to  redress  his  own  and  her  wrongs  and 
suffering.  To  quote  another  letter  from  the  highest 
authority,  "It  has  been  hinted  that  she  is  a  good  se- 
curity to  prevent  the  effects  of  her  husband's  virulence." 

With  a  determination  even  superior  to  that  exhibited 
by  her  husband,  because  she  was  a  woman  and  he  a  man, 
Lady  Johnson  in  midwinter,  January,  1777,  in  disguise, 
made  her  escape  through  hardships  which  would  appal  a 
person  in  her  position  in  the  present  day.  Through  the 
deepest  snows,  through  the  extreme  cold,  through  lines  of 
ingrates  and  enemies,  she  made  her  way  into  the  loyal  city 
of  New  York.  Her  story  reads  like  a  romance.  People 
cite  Flora  MacDonald,  Grace  Darrell,  Florence  Nightin- 
7 


xliv  Sir  John  Johnson. 

gale.  We  had  a  heroine  in  our  midst  who  displayed  a 
courage  as  lofty  as  theirs ;  but  she  is  forgotten,  because 
she  was  the  wife  of  a  man  who  had  the  courage  to  avenge 
her  wrongs  even  upon  the  victors,  and  chastise  her  ene- 
mies and  persecutors  as  well  as  his  own. 

It  was  intended  at  first  to  embody  the  whole  of  Mrs. 
Colonel  Christopher  Johnson's  story  of  her  step-mother's 
wrongs ;  but  this  sketch,  as  it  is,  will  far  outrun  all  pre- 
vious calculation.  For  particulars,  the  reader  is  referred 
to  the  "Appendices  "  to  his  Address  before  the  Historical 
Society,  on  file  there;  to  pages  76-81,  "History  of  New 
York,"  by  Judge  Thomas  Jones;  and  to  Note  XXXI. 
thereto,  by  Edward  Floyd  de  Lancey,  Esq.  The  conclu- 
sion of  the  story  of  her  escape,  after  she  had  parted  from 
her  sister,  is  t<jo  interesting  and  too  touching  to  be 
omitted. 

"  We  must  now  follow  the  course  of  the  poor  dispirited, 
agitated  mother,  who,  though  relying  much  on  the  zeal  and 
fidelity  of  her  devoted  servants,  yet  felt  keenly  the  loss  of  her 
active  and  affectionate  sister  [Anne  Watts,  afterwards  Countess 
of  Cassilis],  whose  stronger  health  and  spirits  were  such  an 
inestimable  support.  Poor  Tony's  [one  of  her  husband's  faithful 
negro  slaves,  who  risked  so  much  from  affection  for  the  family] 
chief  ground  of  consolation  arose  from  the  conviction  that,  being 
so  very  near  the  British  lines,  they  could  not  fail  of  reaching 
them — they  were  almost  within  sight,  he  said !  Poor  fellow,  if 
strength  and  courage  could  have  insured  the  safety  of  his  mis- 
tress and  her  children,  he  would  have  carried  them  or  fought  for 
them  till  he  had  dropped ;  but,  as  resistance  to  sentries  was  out 
of  the  question,  the  present  business  of  all  was  to  be  prepared 
to  exercise  self  command,  and  to  reply  with  composure  to  the 


Sir  John  Johnson.  xlv 

questions  that  would  be  asked.  Fortunately,  Grove  House 
was  but  a  little  out  of  the  way  of  their  real  destination,  and  as 
it  was  probable  inquiries  might  be  made  there,  it  would  not 
have  been  safe  for  them  to  take  the  sleigh  on.  They,  therefore, 
stopped  at  the  cattle-shed,  a  little  distance  from  the  mansion, 
and  leaving  the  sleigh  and  horse  there,  with  one  of  their 
heaviest  wrappings,  as  an  indication  that  they  intended  to 
return,  pursued  their  way  with  as  much  speed  as  possible  in 
the  direction  of  the  British  camp.  By  means  of  their  pass,  and 
avoidance  of  the  larger  bodies  posted  at  different  stations,  they 
went  on  uninteruptedly  to  the  end  of  that  day;  and  when  they 
reached  a  resting  place  for  the  night,  it  was  a  matter  of  deep 
thankfulness  to  find  that,  as  the  Continental  camp  was  protected 
on  that  side  by  a  wide  river  just  in  a  state  of  partial  thaw,  that 
rendered  the  crossing  it  dangerous  for  individuals  and  imprac- 
ticable for  a  body  of  troops,  it  had  been  deemed  unnecessary 
to  keep  that  point  very  strictly  guarded.  They  easily  found, 
as  usual,  a  meal  and  a  bed ;  but  the  anxiety  of  the  Lady  was 
cruelly  aggravated  by  the  state  of  her  infant,  who  depending 
entirely  on  the  nourishment  derived  from  its  unfortunate 
mother,  participated  in  her  physical  exhaustion  and  suffering. 
The  elder  children,  too,  were  both  so  fagged  that  Tony 
and  the  nurse  were  obliged  to  carry  them  almost  without  in- 
termission— so  that  the  poor  Lady  could  hardly  be  relieved 
from  the  burden  of  the  infant.  They  rose,  therefore,  the  next 
morning,  with  trembling  frames  and  spirits,  their  sole  consola- 
tion being  that  they  were  but  two  miles  from  the  river ;  yet 
how  to  cross  it  Avas  a  question  that  could  only  be  solved  on  its 
banks.  While  taking  their  breakfast,  a  soldier  was  seen 
looking  about  in  the  few  cottages  that  were  near  their 
refuge,  and  presently  he  came  in  to  them.  Happily  there  was 
no  sign  of  travelling  about  them,  and  supposing  them  to  be 
the  established  inhabitants,  he  began  explaining  his  business 
by  asking  after  some  people  who  had  arrived  in  a  sleigh  driven 
by  a  black.  Most  fortunately,  also,  Tony  had  separated  from 


xlvi  Sir  John  Johnson. 

them,  and  was  taking  his  meal  in  another  cottage.  The  soldier 
did  not  seem  to  have  been  dispatched  with  any  very  exact  or 
urgent  directions;  but  his  officer  having  received  a  message 
from  the  camp  near  Grove  House,  to  inquire  after  a  party  who 
had  been  expected  there,  and  had  not  arrived,  sent  his  servant 
to  gain  some  information  previous  to  the  arrival  of  more  par- 
ticular instructions.  Taking  the  license  which  young  and  in- 
experienced soldiers  are  apt  to  exercise,  of  using  their  own 
judgment,  the  man  said,  'If  the  Britishers  were  sending 
women  and  children  over  to  us,  we'd  send  them  back  pretty 
smnrtly;  but  if  any  of  the  stupid  fellows  who  are  taking  old 
George's  pay,  instead  of  fighting  for  their  country,  have  a 
mind  to  have  their  wives  with  them,  why,  I  say,  let  'em  have 
the  keep  of  'em ;  and  I  think  my  captain  don't  much  ap- 
prove of  being  sent  woman-hunting,  and  not  even  a  written 
order.  However,  if  you  hear  anything  of  'em,  you  can  let  me 
know.  I'm  going  by  the  lane  round  the  corner  out  there,  for 
I  believe  there's  a  kind  of  an  inn  to  be  found  ;'  and,  so  saying, 
he  wished  them  good-bye,  and  marched  off.  No  sooner  was 
he  out  of  sight  than  the  terrified  females  summoned  Tony,  and 
with  steps  quickened  by  fear  set  off  towards  the  river.  It  was  no 
great  distance,  and  on  reaching  it  the  state  of  the  ice  showed 
clearly  why  its  shores  were  not  very  carefully  guarded.  It 
must  here  be  remarked  that  the  danger  of  crossing  a  river, 
partially  covered  with  ice,  is  different  from  that  incurred  in  a 
milder  climate.  As  long  as  the  ice  lasts,  it  is  much  too  thick 
to  give  way  to  the  heaviest  weights ;  but  when  repeated  thaws 
have  loosened  its  firm  adherence  to  the  shore,  it  breaks  into 
enormous  masses,  which,  driving  and  struggling  against  each 
other,  and  the  force  of  the  current,  partially  released  from  its 
winter  bondage,  form  at  once  one  of  the  grandest  exhibitions 
of  Nature,  and  threaten  fearful  peril  to  those  who  venture  to 
attempt  a  passage.  But,  like  most  dangers  to  which  the  na- 
tives of  a  country  are  habituated,  they  often  risk  their  lives 
even  for  an  inconsiderable  motive,  and  it  is  not  uncommon  to 


Sir  John  Johnson.  xlvii 

see  a  sleigh  passing  the  well-marked  road  over  the  ice,  which 
in  two  hours  afterwards  is  floating  away  like  a  vast  field,  un- 
broken till  it  crashes  against  another  mass,  when  both  pile 
upon  each  other  in  awful  grandeur,  till  further  additions  shove 
them  on  to  final  destruction. 

"By  the  side  of  a  mighty  stream  in  this  state,  stand  the 
fugitives,  hopeless  of  escape,  and  supposing  that  the  hour  has 
come  when  they  must  yield  themselves  back  to  captivity, — a 
bitter  anticipation  after  all  their  toils  and  dangers.  Tony's 
experienced  eye,  however,  described,  and  pointed  out  to  the 
Lady  that  the  centre  of  the  river  was  tolerably  clear,  and  that 
if  they  could  take  advantage  of  one  of  those  moments  when 
the  opposing  masses  were  locked  against  each  other,  a  boat 
might  land  them  on  the  opposite  side.  But  could  a  boat  be 
found  ?  Yes.  They  see  one,  and  a  man  in  it,  paddling  about, 
apparently  seeking  a  safe  nook  wherein  to  bestow  his  little 
vessel.  Tony  chose  a  point  nearest  the  shore,  and  springing 
over  fissures  and  firm  pieces  of  ice,  succeeded  in  making  the 
man  hear.  He  was  one  of  those  bold,  careless  characters,  who 
rather  enjoyed  the  risk,  as  well  as  the  acquirement  of  the 
dollars  often  lavishly  bestowed  for  a  passage.  It  was  now  un- 
necessary for  the  party  to  feign  poverty,  therefore  the  gold 
hitherto  hidden  in  their  garments  was  produced,  and  each 
carrying  a  child  made  their  way  with  infinite  labor  and  peril  of 
slipping  to  the  frail  vessel,  which  was  to  be  guided  among 
masses  that  might  in  an  instant  be  in  motion  to  crush  or  over- 
whelm them.  The  poor  Lady  clasped  her  infant  closer  and 
closer  to  her  bosom,  not  venturing  to  speak  lest  she  should 
withdraw  Tony's  attention  from  the  guidance  of  the  boat ;  yet 
trembling  at  the  suspension  of  the  feeble  cries  which  till  then 
had  wrung  her  heart  with  anguish.  The  little  face  was  chilled, 
and  the  eyes  closed;  but  though. she  feared  the  worst,  she  yet 
hoped  that  it  was  but  the  sleep  of  exhaustion.  Half-an-honr, 
which  seemed  an  interminable  period,  brought  them  to  the 
opposite  shore.  The  British  tents  were  within  sight,  gold 


xlviii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

was  thrown  to  the  boatman,  and  though  the  snow  was  deep 
and  soft,  and  the  Lady  staggered  with  weakness,  she  struggled 
on  through  a  mile  which  yet  separated  them  from  the  first  line 
of  sentries.  Indians  were  the  first  who  spied  the  party,  and 
though  they  received  with  their  usual  composure  the  announce- 
ment of  the  Lady's  name,*  a  glance  sent  off  two  of  their  num- 
ber towards  the  camp,  while  the  others,  wrapping  some  furs 
around  the  Lady  and  her  infant,  lifted  tliem  with  the  utmost 
care  and  tenderness  in  their  powerful  arms,  till  they  were  met 
by  the  messengers  returning  with  blankets  and  mattrasses, 
hastily  formed  into  litters.  On  these  all  were  carefully  de- 
posited and  carried  on  swiftly  ;  Tony  weeping  with  joy  and 
thankfulness  over  his  mistress,  and  telling  her  Sir  John  was 
coming!  The  poor  mother  cast  one  hopeful  glance  towards 
the  distance,  and  another  of  anxiety  upon  her  infant,  who  just 
opened  its  little  eyes,  and  ere  she  could  see  that  it  wns  the 
last  convulsion  of  the  sinking  frame,  she  was  clasped  in  the 
arms  of  her  husband  and  borne  insensible  to  the  quarters  of 
the  Commander-in-Chief,  where  every  care  and  comfort  was 
bestowed  on  her  and  her  children  that  their  exhausted  state 
required.  The  first  delight  of  being  restored  to  her  husband 
and  seeing  her  children  at  rest  and  in  safety  was  marred  by 
the  anguish  of  missing  the  little  loved  one,  whom  she  had  borne 
through  so  much  sorrow  and  suffering.  '  But  a  few  hours 
sooner,'  she  thought,  'and  my  pretty  one  had  been  saved.' 
But  the  joy  and  thankfulness  of  those  around  her  soon  stilled  her 
repining.  Both  her  surviving  children  appeared  to  be  entirely 
restored  to  health;  but  with  the  little  girl  the  appearance  was 


*  Such  was  the  affection  borne  by  the  "  Six  Nations"  to  the  Johnson 
family,  that,  many  years  after,  when  the  writer's  father  visited  them, 
in  Canada,  and  when  the  survivors  of  this  onre  mighty  Confederation, 
"  the  Remans  of  America,"  learned  that  he  had  married  a  niece  of  Lady 
Johnson,  they  adopted  him  with  the  affectionate  pseudonym  (according 
to  Sir  William  George  Johnscn.  Bart.):  "  SAITAT-TOINOU-IAKIOJS,"  signi- 
fying, in  substance,  "  One  of  us." 


Sir  John  Johnson.  xlix 

fallacious.  After  the  first  week  her  strength  and  appetite 
declined,  and  her  parents  had  the  grief  of  laying  her  in  an 
untimely  grave,  from  the  destructive  effects  of  cold  and  ex- 
posure on  a  frame  previously  debilitated  by  illness  during  her 
mother's  captivity,  when  she  could  not  procure  either  advice 
or  proper  medicines."  ("  Adventures  of  a  Lady  in  the  War  of 
Independence  in  America,"  pages  53-7.) 

It  is  not  the  intention  of  this  work  to  reflect  upon,  or 
refer  to,  Revolutionary  officials  further  than  is  absolutely 
necessary.  The  Johnson  family,  the  loyalists,  their  friends 
and  advocates,  present  an  entirely  different  statement  of 
facts  from  those  which  may  be  styled  the  popular  account, 
which  is  that  of  the  victors,  realizing  the  bitter  force  of 
the  proverb  "vc&  victis"  The  judgments  pronounced 
by  either  of  these  are  not  more  severe  in  their  conclusions 
and  opprobrious  in  their  language  than  the  terms  used  in 
the  various  accounts  of  the  contests  between  the  settlers 
and  their  leaders  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  now 
Vermont,  and  the  authorities  of  New  York  and  their 
agents ;  or  of  the  collisions  between  the  Connecticut 
settlers  and  their  chief-men  in  the  Wyoming  Yalley,  and 
the  "Pennamites"  and  their  executives  seeking  to  enforce 
the  rights  of  the  Penn  Patentees  in  the  Susquehanna 
Yalley,  or  of  the  Union  party  or  Loyalists  and  the  South- 
erners during  the  "  Slaveholder's  Rebellion  "  in  1861-5  and 
since. 

There  is  nothing  so  bitter  and  spiteful,  so  barbarous 

• 

and  revengful  and  unforgiving  as  the  rancor  and  re- 
course of  political  struggles  and  those  arising  from 
religious  antagonisms,  except  family  feuds.  The  conflict 


1  Sir  John  Johnson.. 

of  the  American  Revolution  necessarily  partook  of  the 
nature  of  all  three.  Presbyterianism,  in  one  form  or 
another,  gave  energy  to  the  Revolutionary  party,  while 
Episcopalianism  was,  as  a  rule,  the  creed  of  the  Royalists  or 
Loyalists.  The  former  fought  to  obtain  what  the  others 
enjoyed,  and  families  and  neighborhoods  were  divided, 
and  blood  poured  forth  like  water,  with  spiteful  savageness, 
by  hands  whose  vigor  was  derived  from  the  same  veins, 
under  the  impulse  of  the  same  brains,  of  race,  kinman- 
ship  and  connection,  family  ties  and  associations.  This 
was  especially  exemplified  in  the  two  bloodiest  and  de- 
cisive encounters  of  the  war,  King's  Mountain  at  the 
South,  and  Oriskany  at  the  North.  In  the  Carolinas  and 
in  the  Mohawk  Valley,  mortals  on  both  sides  sometimes 
surpassed  demons  in  their  enmity,  because  in  both,  par- 
ticularly in  the  latter,  fathers,  sons,  brothers,  cousins  and 
former  friends  exchanged  shots,  crossed  steel  and  applied 
the  torch.  Men  of  this  day  cannot  conceive  the  feelings 
of  that,  and  to  judge  the  Loyalists  or  Tories  by  the 
stories  of  the  Rebels  or  Patriots  is  just  as  fair  as  to  credit 
the  charges  of  an  ultra  fire-eating  Southerner  against  Loyal 
men  and  the  invading  troops  of  the  Union.  Furthermore, 
if  the  fury  of  the  antagonism  in  the  Carolinas  equalled 
that  in  New  York,  there  was  a  vast  contrast  in  the  legis- 
lation that  followed  the  peace.  The  Carolinas  excelled 
in  magnanimity  and  New  York  in  ungenerous  severity. 
There  the  offences  of  the  Loyalists  were  condoned  from 
respect  to  their  gallantry  and  convictions ;  in  New  York 
the  confiscations  and  penalties  were  continued  in  force 


Sir  John  Johnson.  li 

and  the  Loyalists,  true-men,  were  compelled  to  live  and 
die,  as  a  rule,  in  poverty,  pain,  exile  and   proscription. 

All  this  occurred  prior  to  the  spring  of  1776. 

Sir  Guy  Carleton,  undoubtedly  the  grandest  character 
among  the  British  military  chieftains,  at  this  time,  acting 
independently,  in  America,  received  Sir  John  with  open 
arms,  and  immediately  gave  him  opportunities  to  raise  a 
regiment,  which  made  itself  know  and  felt  along  the 
frontier,  throughout  the  war.  With  a  fatal  parsimony  of 
judgment  and  its  application,  the  Crown  frittered  away 
its  strength,  in  some  cases  in  protecting  private  or  vested 
interests,  and  never  accumulated  sufficient  troops  at  de- 
cisive points  and  moments.  The  arrival  of  these  was  too 
often  delayed  and  even  afterwards  they  were  diverted  from 
objects  of  highest  importance  to  points  where  success  could 
produce  no  lasting  result.  In  1777,  when  Burgoyne  was 
preparing  for  his  invasion  of  New  York  down  the  Hudson, 
St.  Leger  was  entrusted  with  a  similar  advance  down  the 
Mohawk.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  an  able  strategist  and  a 
brave  soldier,  but  an  indolent,  nervous  mortal,  and  an 
inefficient  commander,  recorded  a  sagacious  opinion  on 
this  occasion — endorsed  by  Continental  Nathaniel  Greene — 
viz.,  that  to  St.  Leger  was  assigned  the  most  important 
part  in  the  programme  with  the  most  inadequate  means 
of  carrying  it  out.  To  play  this  part  successfully,  re- 
quired a  much  larger  force ;  and  yet — to  take  a  fort  garri- 
soned by  at  least  750  (perhaps  950)  not  inefficient  troops, 
with  sufficient  artillery  (14  pieces  ?),  and  fight  the  whole 
available  population  of  Try  on  County  in  arms  beside,— 


lii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

St.  Leger  had  not  more  than  about  410  whites  and  an 
aggregation  of  600  to  800  Indians  from  22  different  tribes, 
gathered  from  the  remotest  points  administered  by  British 
officers — even  from  the  extreme  western  shores  of  Lake 
Superior.  To  batter  this  fort  he  had  a  few  small  pieces 
of  ordnance,  which  were  about  as  effective  as  pop-guns ; 
and  were  simply  adequate,  as  he  says  in  his  report,  of 
"teasing,"  without  injuring  the  garrison.  St.  Leger' s 
second  in  command  was  Sir  John  Johnson. 

For  the  relief  of  Fort  Stanwix,  Major  (or  only  Brigadier) 
General  Harkheimer,  Sir  John's  old  antagonist,  gathered 
up  all  the  valid  men  in  Tryon  county,  variously  stated  at 
from  800  and  900  to  1000,  constituting  four  embodied  regi- 
ments of  militia,  besides  numerous  volunteers  of  all  grades 
and  standing,  a  few  mounted  men  (Hoffman),  and  some 
Oneida  Indians.  These  latter,  traitors  to  a  fraternal 
bond  of  centuries,  seemed  about  as  useless  to  their  new 
associates  as  they  were  faithless  to  their  old  ties.  To  meet 
Harkheimer,  Brigadier-General  St.  Leger  allowed  Sir  John 
Johnson  to  proceed  in  person  and  carry  out  the  able  plan 
conceived  by  the  latter.  It  is  now  clearly  established 
beyond  a  doubt  that  his  ability  planned  and  his  determin- 
ation fought  the  battle  of  Oriskany.  Had  the  Indians 
shown  anything  like  the  pluck  of  \vhite  men,  not  a  Pro- 
vincial would  have  escaped.  In  spite  of  their  inefficiency, 
Sir  John's  whites  alone  would  have  accomplished  the 
business  had  it  not  .been  for  "a  shower  of  blessing" 
sent  by  Providence,  and  a  recall  to  the  assistance  of  St. 
Leger.  As  it  was,  this  was  the  bloodiest  battle  of  the 


Sir  John  Johnson.  liii 

Revolution  at  the  North.  Indecisive  on  the  field  of  battle, 
it  was  morally  decisive  in  results.  Harkheimer  lost  his  life, 
likewise  several  hundred  of  his  followers,  and  Tryon 
County  suffered  such  a  terrific  calamity,  that,  to  use  the 
inference  of  its  historian,  if  it  smiled  again  during  the 
war  it  smiled  through  tears.  The  iron  will  of  Schuyler, 
another  old,  almost  life-long  personal  and  political  antago- 
nist of  Sir  John,  sent  Arnold,  the  best  soldier  of  the  Revo- 
lution, to  save  Fort  Stanwix,  the  key  to  the  Mohawk 
valley.  The  rapid  advance  of  this  brilliant  leader,  and  the 
dastardly  conduct  and  defection  of  the  Indians,  preserved 
the  beleaguered  work ;  and  St.  Leger  and  St.  John  were 
forced  to  retire.  On  this  salvation  of  Fort  Stanwix  and 
NOT  on,  properly  speaking,  Hoosic  or  Walloomscoik,  mis- 
called Bennington,  nor  on  Saratoga,  hinged  the  fate  of  the 
Burgoyne  invasion  and  the  eventful  certainty  of  independ- 
ence. !No  part  of  the  failure  is.  chargeable  to  Sir  John. 

As  before  mentioned,  the  English  war  administration 
seemed  utterly  inadequate  to  the  occasion.  They  had  not 
been  able  to  grapple  with  its  exigencies  while  the  colo- 
nies were  ' '  doing  for  themselves, ' '  as  Mazzini  expressed 
it.  When  France  and  Spain  entered  the  list,  and  Bur- 
goyne's  army  had  been  eliminated  from  the  war  problem, 
they  seem  to  have  lost  their  heads;  and,  in  1778,  aban- 
doned all  the  fruits  of  the  misdirected  efforts  of  their  main 
army.  The  nervous  Clinton  succeeded  to  the  indolent 
Howe  in  the  field,  and  the  uncertain  Haldimand  to  the 
determined  Carleton  in  Canada.  Haldimand,  a  Swiss  by 
birth  and  a  veteran  by  service,  was  entirely  deficient  in  the 


liv  Sir  John  Johnson. 

priceless  practical  abilities  in  which  his  predecessor  ex- 
celled. Those  who  knew  him  considered  him  an  excellent 
professional  soldier,  but  for  administration  and  organiza- 
tion his  gifts  were  small.  He  was  so  afraid  that  the 
French  and  Provincials  would  invade  and  dismember  the 
remaining  British  possessions  in  North  America,  that  he 
not  only  crippled  Clinton  in  a  measure,  by  constant  de- 
mands for  troops,  but  he  was  afraid  to  entrust  such  bril- 
liant partisans  as  Sir  John  Johnson  with  forces  sufficient 
to  accomplish  anything  of  importance.  He  suffered  raids 
when  he  should  have  launched  invasions,  and  he  kept  al- 
most every  available  company  and  battalion  for  the  defence 
of  a  territory,  which,  except  in  its  ports,  was  amply  pro- 
tected by  nature  and  distance.  Washington  played  on  his 
timidity  just  as  he  afterward  fingered  the  nervousness  of 
Clinton.  Thus  the  rest  of  1777,  the  whole  of  1778,  and 
the  greater  part  of  1779  was  passed  by  Sir  John  in  com- 
paratively compulsory  inactivity.  He  was  undoubtedly 
busy.  But  like  thousands  of  human  efforts  which  cost 
such  an  expenditure  of  thought  and  preparation,  but  are 
fruitless  in  marked  results,  their  records  are  "  writ  in 
water." 

In  1779  occurred  the  famous  invasion  of  the  territory 
of  the  Six  Nations  by  Sullivan.  In  one  sense  it  was 
triumphant.  It  did  the  devil's  work  thoroughly.  It  con- 
verted a  series  of  blooming  gardens,  teeming  orchards  and 
productive  fields  into  wastes  and  ashes.  It  was  a  disgrace 
to  developing  civilization,  and,  except  to  those  writers  who 
worship  nothing  but  temporary  success,  it  called  forth 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Iv 

some  of  the  most  scathing  condeirinations  ever  penned  by 
historians.  When  white  men  scalp  and  flay  Indians,  and 
convert  the  skins  of  the  latter' s  thighs  into  boot-tops,  the 
question  suggests  itself,  which  were  the  savages,  the 
Continental  troops  or  the  Indians.  It  is  scarcely  an 
exaggeration  to  say  that,  for  every  Indian  slain  and 
Indian  hut  consumed  in  this  campaign,  a  thousand  white 
men,  women  and  children  paid  the  penalty ;  and  it  is 
almost  unexceptionally  admitted  that  the  inextinguishable 
hatred  of  the  redskins  to  the  United  States  dates  from 
this  raid  of  Sullivan,  worthy  of  the  Scottish  chief  who  smoked 
his  enemies  to  death  in  a  cavern,  or  of  a  Pellissier,  a  St. 
Arnaud  or  a  Pretorius.  Simmes,  in  his  "History  of  Sco- 
harie  County,"  N.  Y.,  commenting  on  Sir  John's  devasta- 
tions in  1880,  remarks:  "Thus  was  revenged  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Indian  possessions  in  the  Chemung  and  Gene- 
see  Valleys  the  year  before  by  General  Sullivan ;  which, 
had  they  a  historian,  would  be  found  a  no  less  gloomy 
picture." 

Sullivan's  ultimate  military  objective. must  have  been 
Fort  Niagara,  the  basis,  for  about  a  century,  of  inroads, 
French  and  British,  upon  New  York.  Why  he  did  not 
make  the  attempt  requires  a  consideration  would  occupy 
more  space  than  .can  be  assigned  in  this  memoir.  There 
were  adversaries  in  his  front  who  did  not  fear  pop-gun 
artillery  like  the  Indians,  and  were  not  to  be  dismayed 
by  an  "elegant"  cannonade  as  at  Newtown.  Haldi- 
mand  had  sent  Sir  John  Johnson  to  organize  a  body  of 
500  (K  Y.  Col.  Doc.,  viii.,  779)  \vhite  troops,  besides 


Ivi  Sir  John  Johnson. 

the  Indians,  and  these  were  rapidly  concentrating  (Stone's 
"  Brandt,"  II. ,  10)  upon  Sullivan,  when  the  latter  counter- 
marched. American  historians  give  their  reasons  for 
this  retreat;  British  writers  explain  it  very  differently. 
In  any  event  this  expedition  was  the  last  military  com- 
mand enjoyed  by  Sullivan.  The  Scripture  here  affords 
an  expression  which  may  not  be  inapplicable.  "He 
departed  without  being  desired." 

Sir  John's  further  aggressive  movements  were  pre- 
vented by  the  early  setting  in  of  winter,  which  rendered 
the  navigation  of  Lake  Ontario  too  dangerous  for  the 
certain  dispatch  of  the  necessary  troops  and  adequate 
supplies. 

The  diligent  search  for  information  in  regard  to  the 
details  of  the  movements  upon  this  frontier,  has  been 
hitherto  baffled.  According  to  a  reliable  contemporary 
record,  Sir  John  Johnson,  Col.  Butler  and  Capt.  Brandt 
captured  Fort  Stanwix  on  the  2d  of  November,  1779. 
This  is  the  only  aggressive  operation  of  the  year  attributed 
•  to  him. 

In  1780  Sir  John  was  given  head,  or  let  loose,  and  he 
made  the  most  of  his  time.  In  this  year  he  made  two 
incursions  into  the  Mohawk  Yalley,  the  first  in  May  and 
the  second  in  October. 

There  is  a  very  curious  circumstance  connected  with 
the  first  of  these  raids.  The  burial  of  his  valuable  plate 
and  papers,  and  the  guarding  of  the  secret  of  this  deposit 
by  a  faithful  slave,  although  sold  into  the  hands  of  his 
master's  enemies;  the  recovery  of  the  silver  through  this 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ivii 

faithful  negro,  and  the  transport  of  the  treasures,  in  the 
knapsacks  of  forty  soldiers,  through  the  wilderness  to 
Canada ;  has  been  related  in  so  many  books  that  there  is 
no  need  of  a  repetition  of  the  details.  One  fact,  however, 
is  not  generally  known.  Through  dampness  the  papers 
had  been  wholly  or  partially  destroyed ;  and  this  may  ac- 
count for  a  great  many  gaps  and  involved  questions  in 
narratives  connected  with  the  Johnson  family.  The 
"treasure-trove"  eventually  \vas  of  no  service  to  him. 
God  inaketh  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  Him ;  and  al- 
though Sir  John  was  the  rod  of  His  anger,  the  staff  of 
His  indignation  and  the  weapon  of  His  vengeance  for  the 
injustice  and  barbarisms  shown  by  the  Americans  to  the 
Six  Nations,  but  especially  during  the  preceding  year,  the 
instrument  was  not  allowed  to  profit,  personally,  by  the  ser- 
vice. *  The  silver  and  other  articles,  retrieved  at  such  a  cost 
of  peril,  of  life,  of  desolation  and  of  suffering,  was  not  des- 
tined to  benefit  anyone.  What,  amid  fire  and  sword  and 
death  and  devastation,  had  been  wrenched  from  the  enemy 
was  placed  on  shipboard  for  conveyance  to  England,  and, 
by  the  ' '  irony  of  fate, ' '  the  vessel  foundered  in  the  Gulf 
of  St.  Lawrence  and  its  precious  freight,  like  that  described 
in  the  "Nibelungen  Lied,"  sank  into  the  treasury  of  so 
much  of  earth's  richest  spoils  and  possessions,  the  abyss 
of  the  sea. 


*  According  to  another  tradition — as  little  reliable,  perhaps,  as  such 
legends  usually  are — the  vessel  did  not  founder,  but  was  captured  by  a 
New  England  privateer  out  of  Salem,  Mass.  Another  legend  attributes 
Sir  John's  ill  luck  and  loss  to  a  French  letter-of-marque. 


Iviii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

There  is  a  curious  but  complete  moral  in  the  career  of  Sir 
John  Johnson.  Those  who  from  purely  selfish  motives  per- 
secuted him  for  his  adherence  to  the  crown — loyal  from  prin- 
ciple and  simply  striving  to  save  his  own  ;  perished  or  suffered 
some  other  just  punishment.  Nevertheless,  Sir  John,  the  in- 
strument of  their  chastisement,  did  not  profit  by  his  success  to 
the  extent  of  regaining  his  own,  through  his  triumphant  retalia- 
tion upon  his  enemies.  The  course  and  consequence  of  the 
whole  original  wrong-doing  and  reprisals  realized  the  prophecy 
of  Isaiah,  to  the  effect  that  when  the  Lord  had  performed  his 
whole  work  upon  Judah,  through  the  Assyrian,  "the  rod  of  his 
anger  and  the  staff  of  his  indignation,"  he  declared  that  in  turn 
he  would  punish  the  instrument,  because  he  had  exceeded  his 
commission  and  made  it,  as  it  were,  a  personal  matter.  Judah, 
the  Whigs,  were  to  be  scourged  to  the  bone  for  their  sins,  but 
the  flail,  the  Loyalists,  were  not  to  profit  personally  by  it.  This 
is  just  about  the  view  that  the  honest  Sabine  takes  of  the 
whole  matter  and  agrees  with  the  expression  of  Zechariah, 
that  God  was  "sore  displeased"  with  those  whom  he  employed 
to  execute  his  punishment,  because  he  "was  but  a  little  dis- 
pleased, and  they  helped  forward  the  affliction."  So  it  is  ever, 
alas,  in  this  world.  As  Ecclesiasticus  impresses  upon  its 
readers,  there  is  an  existing  and  unerring  law  of  compensation. 
The  pendulum  of  what  "will  be"  sweeps  far  to  the  right,  but 
the  law  of  "  must  be  "  gravitates  and  the  momentum  brings  it 
back  as  far  to  the  left ;  and  thus  it  swings,  to  and  fro,  as  long 
as  the  impetus  of  cause  and  result  continues  to  exert  their 
forces ;  like  a  thousand  agencies,  great  and  small,  scourging 
the  world:  the  west  like  Attila,  the  east  like  Tamerlane;  a 
continent,  Europe,  like  Napoleon,  or  a  country  apart,  Italy, 
like  Hannibal;  a  province,  as  the  Lowlands  of  Scotland,  like 
Montrose,  or  a  district,  the  Mohawk  and  Schoharie  Valleys, 
like  Johnson.  When  the  mission  is  fulfilled  and  the  victims 
have  suffered,  the  agent  perishes  or  the  instrument  is  laid  aside  ; 
the  former  often  dying  peaceably,  tranquilly,  trustingly ;  be- 
cause, however  man  may  judge  the  act,  it  is  God,  alone,  who 


Sir  John  Johnson.  lix 

can  judge  the  motive,  which  is  often  fidelity  to  principle,  pure 
and  simple,  and  an  execution  in  rigid  obedience  to  a  law  that 
humanity  cannot  comprehend.  Men  in  their  wrath  sow  the 
wind  to  reap  the  whirlwind  of  the  passions  they  arouse.  The 
Whigs  of  the  Mohawk  Valley  worked  their  will  upon  the 
Tories  in  1776,  and,  if  the  day  of  evil  had  not  been  mercifully 
shortened  for  them,  the  rich  district  they  coveted  would  have 
been  left  to  them  a  desert. 

It  is  said  that  Sir  John's  second  invasion  of  this  year 
was  co-ordinate  with  the  plan  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  of 
which  the  basis  was  the  surrender  of  West  Point  by 
Arnold.  If  so,  the  former  bore  to  the  latter  the  same 
relation  that  the  advance  of  St.  Leger  did  in  respect  to 
Burgoyne.  St.  Leger' s  failure  burst  the  combined  move- 
ment of  1777  ;  and  the  capture  of  the  unfortunate  Andre 
exploded  the  conception  of  1780.  Thus  Sir  John's  move- 
ment, which  was  to  have  been  one  of  a  grand  military 
series,  unhappily  for  his  reputation  became  an  apparent 
"mission  of  vengeance,"  executed,  however,  with  a 
thoroughness  which  was  felt  far  beyond  the  district  upon 
which  the  visitation  came — came  in  such  a  terrible  guise, 
that  a  hundred  years  have  scarcely  weakened  the  bitter- 
ness of  its  memories.  Whatever  else  may  be  debited  to 
him,  it  can  be  said  of  Johnson,  as  of  certain,  but.  few, 
other  honest,  earnest,  Loyal  men,  who  have  offended  the 
masses,  that  he  did  his  work  effectively. 

Even  in  1781  Sir  John  was  still  a  menace  to  the  frontier. 
Affairs  in  New  York  and  Vermont)  along  Lake  Champlain, 
were  in  a  very  unsatisfactory  condition.  All  the  assist- 
ance that  could  be  hoped  for  from  France  was  directed  to 
9 


Ix  Sir  John  Johnson. 

another  and  a  distant  quarter.  The  very  districts  of  New 
York  which  had  rallied  to  oppose  Burgoyne  and  his 
lieutenants,  were  disaffected.  "The  poison  was  actively 
at  work  even  in  Albany."  At  this  time  an  expedition 
was  meditated  against  Pittsburgh,  to  be  led  by  Sir  John 
Johnson  and  Colonel  Connelly,  in  connection  with  com- 
binations among  the  hostile  Indians  more  extensive  than 
any  previously  set  on  foot.  Why  these  all  failed  is  among 
the  unsolved  enigmas  of  the  Revolution.  If  they  depended 
on  Gen.  Haldimand,  the  explanation  is  clear.  He  had 
not  sufficient  activity,  either  of  mind  or  body,  to  hold  the 
wires,  much  less  to  pull  them  with  the  requisite  energy. 
Although  scarcely  one  hundred  years  have  passed 
away  since  the  events  considered  in  this  sketch,  there 
are  almost  as  conflicting  accounts  of  the  personal  appear- 
ance of  Sir  John  as  there  are  antagonistic  judgments  in 
respect  to  his  character.  By  some  he  has  been  repre- 
sented as  over  six  feet  in  height ;  by  others  as  not  taller 
than  the  ordinary  run  of  men  in  his  district.  Doubtless 
in  mature  years  he  was  a  stout  or  stalwart  figure,  and 
this,  always  at  least  to  some  extent,  detracts  from  height, 
and  deceives  unless  everything  is  in  exact  proportion.  The 
only  likeness  in  existence,  said  to  be  of  him,  which  is  in 
accordance  with  descriptions,  is  a  red  stipple  engraving  of 
F.  Bartolozzi,  R.  A.,  that  appeared  in  some  contemporary 
publication,  representing  him  in  uniform.  It  is  not 
inconsistent  with  the  pictures  of  him  at  a  more  advanced 
age,  ordinarily  produced  in  well-known  recent  works. 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixi 

These,  however,  from  the  costume  and  expression,  seem 
to  have  been  taken  at  a  much  later  date.  * 

By  his  inveterate  hereditary  enemies  and  historians, 
so  styled,  who  have  adopted  traditionary  bias  as  fact, 
Sir  John  has  been  ' '  described  as  cold,  haughty,  cruel  and 
implacable,  of  questionable"  courage,  and  with  a  feeble 
sense  of  personal  honor.  Mr.  Willian  C.  Bryant,  in  his 
admirable  biographical  sketch,  disposes  of  this  repulsive 
picture  with  a  single  honest  sentence :  ' '  The  detested 
title  of  Tory,  in  fact,  was  a  synonym  for  all  these  uu- 
amiable  qualities." 

According  to  a  recently  found  sketch  of  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  published  in  1854,  it  would  appear  that 
every  American  opposed  to  French  Jacobinism  was  stig- 
matized as  an  aristocrat ;  and  when  Washington  approved 
of  Jay's  treaty  of  1T95,  six  prominent  advocates  of  his 
policy  were  hung  in  effigy  and  polluted  with  every  mark 
of  iudignity ;  then  burned.  Even  the  likeness  of  Wash- 
ington, at  full  length,  on  a  sign,  is  reported  to  have  been 
much  abused  by  the  rabble.  These  patriots  experienced 
the  same  treatment  accorded  to  the  character  of  Sir  John. 
The  procession  at  Poughkeepsie,  in  this  State,  to  ratify 
the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  came  near  end- 


*  Mr.  de  Lancey,  at  page  642  (Note  lv.),  Vol.  2,  appended  to  Jones' 
"History  of  New  York,"  &c.,  furnishes  a  description  of  Sir  John, 
which  tallies  exactly  with  the  colored  engraving  by  Bartolozzi,  in  the 
writer's  possession,  which  has  been  reproduced  for  this  work. 

"  He  was  a  handsome,  well-made  man,  a  little  short,  with  blue  eyes, 
light  hair,  a  fresh  complexion,  and  a  firm  but  pleasant  expression. 
He  was  quick  and  decided  in  disposition  and  manner,  and  possessed 
of  great  endurance." 


Ixii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

ing  in  bloodshed.  Any  one  opposed  to  slavery,  when  it 
existed,  risked  his  life,  south  of  "Mason  and  Dixon's 
line,"  if  he  uttered  his  sentiments  in  public.  No  virtues 
would  have  saved  him  from  violence.  On  the  other  hand, 
there  were  classes  and  communities  at  the  North  who 
would  not  concede  a  redeeming  quality  to  a  slaveholder. 
Passion  intensifies  public  opinion.  The  masses  never 
reflect. 

Here  let  a  distinction  be  drawn  which  very  few,  even 
thinking  persons,  duly  appreciate.  The  rabble  are  not 
the  people.  Knox,  in  his  "Races  of  Men,"  draws  this 
distinction  most  clearly.  And  yet  in  no  country  to  such 
an  extent  as  in  the  United  States  is  this  mistake  so  often 
made.  Old  Rome  was  styled  by  its  own  best  thinkers 
and  annalists  "the  cesspool  of  the  world:"  and  if  any 
modern  State  deserves  this  scathing  imputation,  it  is  this 
very  State  of  New  York.  Count  Tallyrand-Perigord  said 
that  as  long  a  there  is  sufficient  virtue  in  the  thinking 
classes  to  assimilate  what  is  good,  and  reject  what  is 
vicious  in  immigration,  there  is  true  progress  and  real 
prosperity.  When  the  poison  becomes  superior  to  the 
resistive  and  assimilative  power,  the  descent  begins.  It 
is  to  pander  to  the  rabble,  not  the  people,  that  men  like 
Sir  John  Johnson  are  misrepresented.  Such  a  course  is 
politic  for  demagogues.  To  them  the  utterance  of  the 
truth  is  suicidal,  because  they  only  could  exist  through 
perversions  worthy  of  a  Machiavelli.  They  thrive  through 
political  Jesuitism.  The  Roman  populace  were  main- 
tained and  restrained  by  " panem  et  circences."  The 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixiii 

bulk  of  modern  voters  feed  like  them — to  iise  the  Scripture 
expression — on  the  wind  of  delusion ;  and  it  is  this  method 
of  portraiture  which  enabled  Local  Committees  to  strike 
down  Sir  John  Johnson,  confiscate  his  property  and  drive 
him  forth,  and  "Rings"  to  carry  out  their  purposes  in 
our  very  midst  to-day. 

People  of  the  present  period  can  scarcely  conceive  the 
virulence  of  vituperation  which  characterized  the  political 
literature  of  a  century  since.  Hough,  in  his  "Northern 
Invasion^"1  has  a  note  on  this  subject  which  applies  to 
every  similar  case.  The  gist  of  it  is  this :  The  opinions 
of  local  populations  in  regard  to  prominent  men  were  en- 
tirely biased,  if  not  founded  upon  their  popularity  or  the 
reverse.  If  modern  times  were  to  judge  of  the  character 
of  Hannibal  by  the  pictures  handed  down  by  the  gravest 
of  Roman  'historians,  he  would  have  to  be  regarded  as  a 
man  destitute  of  almost  every  redeeming  trait  except 
courage  'and  ability  or  astuteness ;  whereas,  when  the 
truth  is  sifted  out,  it  is  positively  certain  that  the  very 
vices  attributed  to  the  great  Carthaginian  should  be  trans- 
ferred to  his  Latin  adversaries. 

Sir  John  was  not  cold.  He  was  one  of  the  most  affec- 
tionate of  men.  Mr.  Bryant  tells  us  that  he  was  not 
"haughty,"  but,  on  the  contrary,  displayed  qualities 
which  are  totally  inconsistent  with  this  defect.  "His 
manners  were  peculiarly  mild,  gentle  and  winning.  He 
was  remarkably  fond  of  the  society  of  children,  who, 
with  their  marvellous  insight  into  character,  bestowed 
upon  him  the  full  measure  of  their  unquestioning  love 


Ixiv  Sir  John  Johnson. 

and  faith.  He  was  also  greatly  attached  to  all  domestic 
animals,  and  notably  very  humane  and  tender  in  his  treat- 
ment of  them."  Another  writer,  commenting  upon  these 
traits,  remarks :  "His  peculiar  characteristic  of  tenderness 
to  children  and  animals,  makes  me  think  that  the  stories 
of  his  inhumanity  during  the  War  of  the  Revolution  can- 
not be  true." 

He  was  NOT  "cruel."  A  number  of  anecdotes  are  re- 
lated to  the  contrary  by  those  not  peculiarly  favorable 
to  him.  These  in  themselves,  recorded  as  they  are  by 
partisans  of  a  diiferent  order  of  things  to  those  repre- 
sented by  the  Johnsons,  are  sufficient  to  raise  strong  doubts 
of  the  truth  of  the  charges  brought  against  him,  even  if 
they  do  not  positively  disprove  such  a  sweeping  judgment. 

The  honest  Bryant  penned  a  paragraph  which  is  perti- 
nent in  this  connection. 

"Sir  John,  certainly,  inherited  many  of  the  virtues 
which  shed  lustre  upon  his  father's  name.  His  devotion 
to  the  interests  of  his  government ;  his  energetic  and  en- 
lightened administration  of  important  trusts ;  his  earnest 
championship  of  the  barbarous  race  which  looked  up  to 
him  as  a  father  and  a  friend ;  his  cheerful  sacrifice  of  a 
princely  fortune  and  estate  on  what  h,e  conceived  to  be 
the  altar  of  patriotism,  connot  be  controverted  by  the 
most  virulent  of  his  detractors.  The  atrocities  which 
were  perpetrated  by  the  invading  forces  under  his  com- 
mand are  precisely  those  which,  in  our  annals,  have 
attached  a  stigma  to  the  names  of  Montcalm  and  Burgoyne. 
To  restrain  an  ill-disciplined  rabble  of  exiled  Tories  and 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixv 

ruthless  savages  was  beyond   the   power   of  men  whose 
humanity  has  never  in  other  instances  been  questioned." 

The  majority  of  writers  absolved  Montcalm ;  and 
Burgoyne  disclaimed,  and  almost  conclusively  proved, 
that  he  was  not  responsible  for  the  charges  brought 
against  him  by  the  grandiloquent  Gates  and  others,  who 
did  not  hesitate  to  draw  upon  their  imagination  to  make 
a  point.  Sir  John,  with  his  own  lips,  declared,  in  regard 
to  the  cruelties  suffered  by  the  Whigs  during  his  first  in- 
road, that  "their  Tory  neighbors,  and  not  himself,  were 
blamable  for  those  acts."  ,  It  is  said  that  Sir  John  much 
regretted  the  death  of  those  who  were  esteemed  by  his 
father,  and  censiired  the  murderer.  But  how  was  he  to 
punish !  Can  the  United  States  at  this  day,  with  all  its 
power,  punish  the  individual  perpetrators  of  cruelties 
along  the  Western  frontier  and  among  the  Indians  ?  It  is 
justly  remarked  that  if  the  "Six  Nations"  had  an  his- 
torian, the  Chemung  and  Genesee  valleys,  desolated  by 
Sullivan,  would  present  no  less  glaring  a  picture  than  of 
those  of  the  Schoharie  and  Mohawk,  which  experienced 
the  visitations  of  Sir  John.  He,  at  all  events,  ordered 
churches  and  other  buildings,  certainly  the  houses  of  nomi- 
nal friends,  to  be  spared.  Sullivan's  vengeance  was  indis- 
criminate, and  left  nothing  standing  in  the  shape  of  a 
building  which  his  fires  could  reach.  Sir  John  more  than 
once  interposed  his  disciplined  troops  between  the  savages 
and  their  intended  victims.  He  redeemed  captives  with 
his  own  money ;  and  while  without  contradiction  he  pun- 
ished a  guilty  district  with  military  execution,  it  was  not 


Ixvi  Sir  John  Johnson. 

directed  by  his  orders  or  countenance  against  individuals. 
Hough,  for  himself,  and  quoting  others,  admits  that  "no 
violence  was  offered  to  women  and  children."  There  is 
nothing  on  record  or  hinted  to  show  that  he  refused 
mercy  to  prisoners;  no  instance  of  what  was  termed 
"Tarleton's  quarter"  is  cited;  nothing  like  the  wholesale 
slaughter  of  Tories  by  Whigs  at  the  South  whenever  the 
latter  got  the  chance  or  upperhand :  no  summary  hanging 
of  prisoners  as  at  King's  Mountain ;  and  it  is  very  ques- . 
tionable  if  cold-blooded  peculation  in  the  American  ad- 
ministrative corps  did  not  kill  off  incalculably  more  in 
the  course  of  a  single  campaign,  than  fell  at  the  hands  of 
all,  white  and  red,  directed  by  Johnson,  during  the  war. 

As  to  the  epithet  "implacable,"  it  amounts  to  nothing. 
To  the  masses,  anyone  who  punishes  a  majority,  even 
tempering  justice  with  mercy,  provided  he  moves  in  a 
sphere  above  the  plane  of  those  who  are  the  subjects  of 
the  discipline,  is  always  considered  not  only  unjust  but 
cruel.  The  patriots  or  rebels  of  Tryon  county  had  worked 
their  will  on  the  liberties  of  the  family  and  the  properties 
of  Sir  John  Johnson ;  and  he  certainly  gave  them  a  good 
deep  draught  from  the  goblet  they  had  originally  forced 
upon  his  lips.  He  did  not  live  up  to  the  Christian  code 
\vhich  all  men  preach  and  no  man  practices,  and  assuredly 
did  not  turn  the  other  cheek  to  the  smiter,  or  offer  his  cloak 
to  him  who  had  already  stolen  his  coat,  "Will  any  unpreju- 
diced person  deny  that  there  was  great  justification  for  his 
conduct.  The  masses  a  century  since  and  previous  could 
understand  nothing  that  was  not  brought  home  to  them  in 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixvii 

letters  of  fire  and  of  suffering.  Their  compassion  and  their 
fury  were  both  the  blaze  of  straw  ;  and  their  cruelty  was 
as  enduring  as  the '  heat  of  red  hot  steel,  especially  when 
their  passions  were  thoroughly  excited  in  civil  and  reli- 
gious conflicts. 

There  is  only  one  more  charge  against  Sir  John  to  dis- 
pose of,  viz.,  that  "his  courage  was  questionable."  The 
accusation  in  regard  to  his  having  a  ' '  feeble  sense  of  per- 
sonal honor*'  rests  upon  the  stereotyped  fallacy  in  regard 
to  the  violation  of  his  parole.  This  has  already  been 
treated  of  and  declared,  by  experts,  to  be  unsu stained  by 
justice.  In  fact,  Mr.  Edward  Floyd  de  Lanccy  has  proved 
that  he  did  hot  do  so.  In  this  connection  it  is  necessary 
to  cite  a  few  more  pertinent  words  from  the  impartial 
William  C.  Bryant.  This  author  says:  "Sir  John's 
sympathies  were  well  known,  and  he  was  constrained  to 
sign  a  pledge  that  he  would  remain  neutral  during  the 
struggle  then  impending.  There  is  no  warrant  for  sup- 
posing that  Sir  John,  when  he  submitted  to  this  degrada- 
tion, secretly  determined  to  violate  his  promise  on  the 
convenient  plea  of  duress,  or  upon  grounds  more  rational 
and  quieting  to  his  conscience.  The  jealous  espionage  to 
which  he  was  afterwards  exposed— the  plot  to  seize  upon 
his  person  and  restrain  his  liberty — doubtless  furnished 
the  coveted  pretext  for  breaking  faith  with  the  '  rebels. ' ' ' 

Mrs.  Martha  J.  Lamb,  whose  ' '  History  of  New  York' ' 

is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  productions  of  the  age,  writ 

ing  with  the  bias  of  an  American,  but  nevertheless  desirous 

of  doing  justice  to  both  sides,  makes  the  following  remarks 

10 


Ixviii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

in  regard  to  Sir  John  Johnson.*  "He  was  known  to  be  a 
powerful  leader  of  men  ;  he  possessed  the  magnetism  which 
inspired  devotion."  "Enough  has  been  said  about  his  own 


*  In  regard  to  the  personal  appearance  of  Sir  John,  there  are  as  wide 
discrepancies  as  in  the  opinions  affecting  his  character.  This,  how- 
ever, should  not  be  surprising  to  any  close  student  of  history.  Greater 
divergencies  present  themselves  in  different  accounts  of  the  Earl  of 
Bothwell ;  some  picturing  him  as  strikingly  ugly  and  boorish,  others 
as  eminently  handsome  and  courtly;  also  of  the  Russian  hero  Suwarrow, 
who  appears  in  one  portrait  as  tall  and  commanding,  in  another  as  di- 
minutive and  repulsive,  in  one  an  eccentric  genius,  but  still  a  genius ;  in 
another  a  buffoon  devoid  of  even  courage  and  ability.  Where  prejudice 
mixes  the  colors  and  passion  holds  the  brush  nothing  like  truth  can  be 
hoped  for.  " Homo  solus  aut  deus  aut  daemon"  and  party  or  faction 
elevate  a  friend  or  an  ally  to  the  former,  or  sink  an  enemy  or  oppo- 
nent to  the  latter.  This  is  particularly  the  case  in  civil  wars.  In  them 
there  is  no  juste  milieu  of  feeling  or  opinion.  Mr.  Wm.  C.  Bryant,  Sir 
John's  most  generous  American  biographer,  presents  him  as  six  feet 
two,  and  large  in  proportion.  This  would  almost  make  him  gigantic. 
His  kinsman,  Edward  F.  de  Lancey,  Esq.,  historian,  draws  an  entirely 
different  portrait.  It  would  be  hard  to  reconcile  such  contrasts,  were 
it  not  that  some  men,  like  the  late  General,  our  great  George  H. 
Thomas,  are  so  erect  and  imposing  that  they  impress  beholders  with 
the  idea  that  their  physical  proportions  are  as  mighty  as  their  intellect 
and  influence.  A  similar  judgment — absit  inmdia — is  apposite,  as  to 
the  moral  characteristics  of  Sir  John. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  failure  is  the  greatest  crime  that  mortal- 
ity recognizes,  and  that  some  of  the  most  cruel  tyrants  would  be  ac- 
cepted as  exemplars  if  they  had  not  failed.  Such  is  the  opinion  of 
Froude,  in  regard  to  the  Duke  of  Alva.  He  justly  remarks :  "  Re- 
ligious"— yes,  more  especially  political  history — "  is  partial  in  its  ver- 
dicts. The  exterminators  of  the  Canaanites  are  enshrined  among  the 
saints,  and  had  the  Catholics  come  off  victorious,  the  Duke  of  Alva 
would  have  been  a  second  Joshua."  The  opinions  of  the  people  of 
this  colony  or  State  could  scarcely  be  otherwise  than  unjust  and  injuri- 
ous in  regard  to  a  man  who,  to  a  most  important  portion  of  it,  resem- 
bled a  tornado  or  a  phenomenal  tropical  storm.  Such  cataclysms  are 
not  instantaneous  developments,  but  the  result  of  a  series  of  causes. 
Their  immediate  effects  are  never  beneficial.  Their  ultimate  effects  are 
often  eminently  so.  The  idea  that  Sir  William  Johnson  committed  sui- 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixix 

fearful  losses  and  the  unjustifiable  sufferings  to  which  his 
wife  was  subjected.  She  had  escaped,  thanks  to  God  and 
herself  (1776)."  "Thus  no  restraint  could  now  be  imposed 


cide  to  avoid  the  dilemma  of  casting  his  lot  in  with  rebellion  or  against 
the  crown  is  utterly  preposterous — one  of  those  insane  self-delusions 
that  the  American  people  indulged  in,  blinded  with  the  idea  of  their 
own  self-consequence.  That  a  man  who  owed  everything  to  the  King, 
who  had  pre-eminently  distinguished  and  rewarded  him,  should  go  over 
to  the  enemies  of  that  monarch,  would  have  stamped  him  at  once  as 
unworthy  of  the  very  benefits  he  had  received.  Centuries  since,  the 
the  people  were  not  of  the  consequence  in  the  eyes  of  the  ruling  classes 
that  they  have  since  become.  In  this  remark  there  is  no  attempt  to 
presume  that  the  people  do  not  deserve  the  consideration  they  are  now 
enabled  to  exact.  But  the  fact  is  indisputable  that  they  did  not  then  en- 
joy it.  Washington  and  Jeiferson,  and  all  the  great  lights  of  the  Revo- 
lution, did  not  regard  the  masses  as  the  politicians  of  this  day  are*  com- 
pelled to  do.  If  they  could  rise  from  their  graves  they  would  marvel 
at  the  almost  incredible  progress  made  by  the  mass  of  humanity,  in 
wringing,  even  from  despots,  a  consideration  for  their  opinions. 

It  is  just  as  ridiculous  to  imagine  that  Sir  John  Johnson  would  be 
false  to  his  allegiance  as  to  imagine  that  Sir  William  killed  himself 
to  avoid  changing  his  uniform.  None  of  the  most  ardent  patriots, 
so  styled,  desired  in  1775  that  complete  severance  of  ties  between  the 
mother  country  and  the  colonies  which  the  success  of  the  latter  gradu- 
ally more  and  more  concreted  into  a  fixed  determination.  The  wisest 
could  not  have  foreseen  the  armed  intervention  of  France  and  Spain, 
and  yet,  without  this,  independence  could  not  have  been  secured.  The 
event  was  still  doubtful  in  1781,  and  it  was  only  a  concurrence  of  cir- 
cumstances beyond  mortal  control  that  decided  the  struggle.  For  Sir 
John  Johnson  to  have  turned  his  back  on  all  those  characteris- 
tics which,  by  generous  minds,  are  regarded  as  the  finest  qualities  in 
man — gratitude,  loyalty,  consistency — might  have  made  him  popular 
with  those  who  would  have  profited  by  his  treason,  but  would  have 
damned  him  in  greater  degree  with  those  whose  opinions  he  valued.  It 
is  just  about  as  sensible  to  expect  an  impartial  verdict  upon  Montrose 
and  Claverhouse  from  the  Whigs  and  Covenanters  of  Scotland  as  from 
the  people  of  central  New  York  upon  Sir  John  Johnson.  No  man 
who  is  connected  by  the  ties  of  blood  or  interest,  or  who  has  made  up 
his  mind,  has  a  right  to  sit  upon  a  jury  ;  and  no  one  imbued  with  the 
prejudices  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  "or  its  historians,  has  a  moral  right 


Ixx  Sir  John  Johnson. 

upon  Sir  John's  movements,  since  his  family  were  safe 
under  British  protection,  and  lie  plunged  into  the  strife 
with  a  bitterness  scarcely  to  be  equalled.  And  he  was  as 


to  sit  in  judgment  upon  the  Johnsons.  Again,  Sir  John  Johnson 
did  not  desire  to  have  anything  to  do  with  the  manipulation  of  the  In- 
dians. After  his  father's  death  he  was  offered  the  succession  of  Sir 
William,  as  Indian  Superintendent  under  the  Crown,  and  he  refused  it, 
and/,  at  his  suggestion,  it  was  given  to  his  cousin  Guy.  These  two 
have  been  often  confounded  :  and,  on  one  occasion,  when  a  public  de- 
fense of  Sir  John  was  being  made,  a  descendant  of  sufferers  at  the 
hands  of  the  Indians  rose  to  objurgate  Sir  John,  and  had  his  whole 
ground  cut  from  under  him  by  the  simple  demonstration  that  the  party 
inculpated  by  him  was  Colonel  Guy,  and  not  Sir  John.  Let  no  one 
think  that  this  is  an  excuse  of  the  latter  at  the  expense  of  Guy  ;  but 
there  is  a  proverb  as  old  as  language  :  "  Let  each  man  claim  his  own 
credit,  or  bear  his  own  blame." 

The  Whigs,  or  Patriots,  or  Rebels,  of  1774-6,  made  out  a  long  list 
of  grievances  against  the  Crown,  on  which  they  founded  the  Revolu- 
lution.  Among  these,  none  was  so  prominent  as  the  hated  Stamp  Act. 

It  has  been  justly  said  that,  in  carping  or  commending,  the  eyes 
of  most  critics  are  like  the  turbot's,  both  on  one  side.  This  has  never 
been  shown  more  clearly  than  the  American  consideration  of  the  Stamp 
Act.  William  Edward  Hartpole  Lecky,  in  his  "  History  of  England 
in  the  Eighteenth  Century,"  1882,  Vol.  III.,  Chap.  12,  p.  340,  has 
summed  up  the  whole  matter  conclusively  against  the  Colonies,  and 
his  verdict  is  irrefutable : 

"I  have  no  wish  to  deny  that  the  Stamp  Act  was  a  grievance  to  the  American*-; 
bat  it  is  due  to  the  truth  of  history  that  the  gross  exaggerations  which  have  been  re- 
peated on  the  subject  should  be  dispelled  and  that  the  nature  of  the  alleged  tyranny 
of  England  should  be  clearly  defined.  It  cannot  be  too  distinctly  stated,  that  there 
is  not  a  fragment  of  evidence  that  any  English  statesman,  or  any  class  of  the  English 
people,  desired  to  raise  anything  by  direct  taxation  from  the  colonies  for  purposes 
that  were  purely  English.  They  asked  them  to  contribute  nothing  to  the  support  of 
the  navy  which  protected  their  coasts,  nothing  to  the  interest  of  the  English  debt.  At 
the  close  of  a  war  which  had  left  Englaud  overwhelmed  with  additional  burdens,  in 
which  the  whole  resources  of  the  British  Empire  had  been  strained  for  the  extension 
and  security  of  the  British  territory  in  America,  by  which  the  American  colonists  had 
gained  incomparably  more  than  any  other  of  the  subjects  of  the  crown,  the  colonies 
were  asked  to  bear  their  share  in  the  burden  of  the  Empire  by  Contributing  a  third 
part— they  would  no  doubt  ultimately  have  been  asked  to  contribute  the  whole— of 
what  was  required  for  the  maintenance  of  an  army  of  10,000  men,  intended  primarily 
for  their  own  defence.  £100,000  was  the  highest  estimate  of  what  the  Stamp  Act  would 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixxi 

brave   and   energetic  as   he  was  vindictive,    Jones   says, 
that  he  did  more  mischief  to  the  rebel  settlements  upon  the 


annually  produce,  and  it  was  rather  less  than  a  third  part  of  the  expenses  of  the  new 
army.  This  was  what  England  asked  from  the  most  prosperous  portion  of  her  Empire. 
Every  farthing  which  it  was  intended  to  raise  in  America,  it  was  intended  also  to 
spend  there.'' 

England  (Great  Britain)  was  right  and  just  and  the  Thirteen  Colo- 
nies were  wrong  and  ungenerous  ;  and  yet  the  best  men  in  the  Colonies 
suffered  for  their  obedience  to  the  orders  of  legally  constituted  authority. 
They  were  made  to  suffer  officially  and  personally,  in  every  line  and 
every  degree,  in  succeeding  generations. 

The  Americans  expend  volumes  of  sympathy  upon  the  victims  of 
the  British  prison-ships.  Are  they  aware  that  their  own  side  had 
prison-ships,  and  on  one  occasion  a  number  of  captives  perished  in 
consequence,  by  a  single  accident  ?  Are  they  aware  that  there  was 
a  copper  mine  in  Connecticut,  to  which  respectable  people  were  con- 
signed as  laborers,  with  a  want  of  feeling  akin  to  that  with  which  the 
Czar  Nicholas  and  his  predecessors  sent  off  convoys  of  noble  champions 
of  what  they  deemed  the  right,  to  Siberia.  Lynch  law  was  as  active 
among  the  Patriots  as  on  the  so-styled  borders  of  civilization,  and  the 
term  does  not  emanate  from  the  semi-barbarous  West,  but  from  the  anti- 
revolutionary  times  and  centre  of  Vermont.  As  an  honest  descendant 
of  one  of  the  sufferers  at  Wyoming  justly  observed,  upon  the  very  spot 
and  under  the  shadow  of  the  commemorative  monument :  "The  story 
has  two  sides,  and  I  am  not  going  to  allow  myself  to  be  carried  away 
by  the  prejudices  of  tradition."  To  exonerate  Sir  John  Johnson  is  to 
condemn  his  opponents,  and  to  him  and  them  is  applicable  the  sen- 
tence of  the  Highest  Authority:  "  It  must  needs  be  that  offences  come  ; 
but  woe  to  that  man  by  whom  the  offence  cometh."  Sir  John  did  not 
inaugurate  the  conflict.  He  was  defendant,  and  not  plaintiff,  either  in 
the  courts  of  law  or  the  ordeal  of  battle. 

How  many  of  those  who  stirred  up  the  difficulty  perished  at  Oris- 
kany,  where  first  the  wager  of  battle  occurred,  and  how  many  were 
impoverished  in  the  course  of  the  conflict  ?  Again,  the  Scripture  ob- 
serves :  "  Surely  the  wrath  of  man  shall  praise  Thee."  Good,  undoubt- 
edly>  was  evolved  out  of  the  evil  that  was  done,  but  how  many  of  those 
who  were  its  agents  lived  to  see  the  day  ?  "  The  mills  of  the  gods 
grind  slowly  ;"  and  time  with  God  is  nothing.  The  grist  can  only  be 
valued  when  His  time  has  come.  Piedmont  or  Sardinia,  Italy,  ex- 
pelled the  Waldenses,  and  was  compelled  to  permit  them  to  return. 
Spain  drove  out  the  Moors,  and  accepted  comparative  ruin  as  the 


Ixxii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

frontiers  of  New  York  than  all  the  partisans  in  the  British 
service  put  together." 

The  charge  of  "questionable  courage  "  is  utterly  ridicu- 
lous. 

It  originated  with  his  personal  enemies,  and,  if  such 
evidence  were  admissible,  it  is  disproved  by  facts. 
There  is  scarcely  any  amount  of  eulogy  which  has  not 


price  of  bigoted  oppression.  France  thrust  out  the  Huguenots, 
and  thereby  enriched  and  fortified  hereditary  enemies.  The  Stuarts 
persecuted  the  Puritans,  and.  lo,  the  American  Revolution !  France 
assisted  a  rebellion,  and  the  retribution  came  within  fifteen  years.  The 
Americans  drove  out  the  Loyalists.*  and  they  constituted  the  bone  and 
sinew,  the  industry  and  wealth  of  the  Dominion  of  Canada. 

The  Seven  United  States,  or  Provinces  of  Holland,  two  hundred  to 
three  hundred  years  ago,  were  the  "Asylum  of  Thought,"  the  "  Refuge" 
of  persecuted  mankind,  and  the  freest  country  in  the  world.  They  fell 
before  their  time,  from  three  causes,  which  are  destined  to  wreck 
this  country  :  centralization,  the  mistaking  of  national  wealth  for  na 
tional  greatness,  and  the  mistaking  of  the  virulence  of  political  parti- 
sanship for  the  virtue  of  patriotism.  These  three  disintegrated  the 
whole  structure  of  the  body  politic,  and,  when  the  storm  arose  and 
beat  upon  it,  the  condition  of  the  fabric  revealed  itself  in  ruins. 

The  gods  of  Homer  nod,  and  an  a?on  has  passed  away.  God  shuts 
his  eyes  to  the  evil,  and  centuries  pass  away  before  the  expiation 
comes  ;  but  it  does  come. 


*  "A  number  of  Loyal  Refugees  had  petitioned,  and  been  permitted  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  to  embody  under  proper  officers,  and  to  retaliate  and  make  reprisals  upon  the 
Americans  declared  to  be  in  actual  rebellion  against  their  sovereign.  A  party  of  them, 
who  had  formerly  belonged  to  the  Massachusetts,  made  an  attempt  upon  Falmouth, 
in  Barnstable  county,  but  were  repulsed  by  the  militia.  They  renewed  it,  but  not  suc- 
ceeding', went  off  to  Nantucket,  and  landed  200  men,  entered  the  town,  broke  open 
warehouses,  and  carried  off  large  quantities  of  oil,  whalebone,  molasses,  sugar,  coffee, 
and  everything  that  fell  in  their  way.  They  also  carried  off  two  brigs,  loaded  for  the 
West  Indies,  two  or  three  schooners,  and  a  large  number  of  boats.  In  a  proclamation 
they  left  behind  they  took  notice  of  their  having  been  imprisoned,  compelled  to  abandon 
their  dwellings,  friends  and  connections,  had  their  estates  sequestered,  and  been  them- 
selves formally  banished,  never  to  return,  on  pain  of  death.  Thus  circumstanced,  they 
conceived  themselves  warranted,  by  the  laws  of  God  and  man,  to  wage  war  against  their 
persecutors,  and  to  use  every  means  in  their  poiver  to  obtain  compensation  for  their  suf- 
ferings." 5th  April,  1778.  Gordon,  III.,  836-7. 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixxiii 

been  lavished  upon  Arnold's  expedition  from  the  Kenne- 
bec,  across  the  great  divide  between  Maine  and  Canada, 
down  to  the  siege  of  Quebec,  and  the  same  praise  has  been 
extended  to  Clarke  for  his  famous  march  across  the 
drowned  lands  of  Indiana.  Arnold  deserves  all  that  can 
be  said  for  him,  and  so  does  Clarke,  and  everyone  who 
has  displayed  equal  energy  and  intrepidity.  It  is  only 
surprising  that  similar  justice  has  not  been  extended  to 
Sir  John.  It  is  universally  conceded  that,  \vhen  he  made 
his  escape  from  his  persecutors,  in  1776,  and  plunged 
into  the  howling  wilderness  to  preserve  his  liberty  and 
honor,  he  encountered  all  the  suffering  that  it  seemed 
possible  for  a  man  to  endure.  Even  Napoleon  admitted 
that  Courage  is  secondary  to  Fortitude.  As  one,  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  Adirondack  wilderness,  remarked,  "  such 
a  traverse  would  be  an  astonishing  feat,  even  under  favor- 
able circumstances  and  season,  at  this  day."  Sir  John 
was  nineteen  days  in  making  the  transit,  and  this,  too, 
at  a  time  when  snow  and  drifts  still  blocked  the  Indian 
paths,  the  only  recognized  thoroughfares.  No  man  de- 
ficient in  spirit  and  fortitude  would  ever  have  made  such 
an  attempt.  Both  of  the  invasions  under  his  personal 
leading  were  characterized  by  similar  daring.  In  some 
cases  the  want  of  intrepidity  was  assuredly  on  the  part 
of  those  who  hurled  the  epithet  at  him.  American  writers 
admit  it  by  inference,  if  not  in  so  many  words. 

One  of  the  traditions  of  Tryon  county,  which  must 
have  been  well-known  to  be  remembered  after  the  lapse 
of  a  century,  seems  to  be  to'the  effect  that  in  the  last  battle, 


Ixxiv  Sir  John  Johnson. 

known  as  the  fight  on  Klock's  Field,  or  near  Fox's  Mills, 
both  sides  ran  away  from  each  other.  In  degree  this 
was  the  case  at  Bull  Rim  1st.  Were  it  true  of  both  sides, 
it  would  not  be  an  extraordinary  occurrence.  Panics, 
more  or  less  in  proportion,  have  occurred  in  the  best  of 
armies.  There  was  a  partial  one  after  Wagram,  after 
Guastalla,  after  Solferino,  and  at  our  first  Bull  Run. 
But  these  are  only  a  few  among  scores  of  instances  that 
might  be  cited.  What  is  still  more  curious,  while  a  single 
personal  enemy  of  Sir  John  charged  him  with  quitting 
the  field,  his  antagonist,  Gen.  van  Rensselaer,  was  gene- 
rally abused  for  not  capturing  Sir  John  and  his  troops, 
although  a  court-martial  decided  that,  while  the  General 
did  all  he  could,  his  troops  were  very  "bashful,"  as 
the  Japanese  term  it,  about  getting  under  close  fire,  and 
they  had  to  be  withdrawn  from  it  to  keep  the  majority 
from  going  to  the  rear.  The  fact  is  that  the  Ameri- 
can State  Levies,  quasi-regulars,  under  the  gallant  Col. 
Brown,  had  experienced  such  a  terrible  defeat  in  the 
morning,  that  it  took  away  from  the  militia  all  their  ap- 
petite for  another  fight  with  the  same  adversaries  in  the 
evening.  Sir  John's  conduct  would  have  been  excusable 
if  he  had  quitted  the  field  because  he  had  been  wounded, 
and  a  wound  at  this  time,  in  the  thigh,  in  the  midst  of  an 
enemy's  country,  was  a  casualty  which  might  have  placed 
a  man  "fighting,"  so  to  speak,  "  with  a  halter  around  his 
neck,"  at  the  mercy  of  an  administration  which  was  not 
slow,  with  or  without  law,  at  inflicting  cruelties,  and  even 
k '  hanging  in  haste  and  trying  at"  leisure. ' '  But  Sir  John  did 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixxv 

not  quit  the  field  prematurely.  He  was  not  there  to  fight 
to  oblige  his  adversaries ;  his  tactics  were  to  avoid  any 
battle  which  was  not  absolutely  necessary  to  secure  his  re- 
treat. He  repulsed  his  pursuers  and  he  absolutely  re- 
turned to  Canada,  carrying  with  him  as  prisoners  an 
American  detachment  which  sought  to  intercept  and  im- 
pede his  movements. 

To  qualify  Sir  John's  evasion  from  Klock's  Field  as 
evincing  want  of  courage,  is  to  stigmatize  as  such  the  re- 
peated retreats  of  Washington,  "the  Father  of  his  Coun- 
try," before  superior  enemies,  or  the  withdrawals  after 
Antietam  and  Gettysburg,  or  from  Petersburg,  of  Lee, 
the  idol  of  the  South.  A  successful  retreat  or  escape 
in  desperate  circumstances  is  credited  to  a  general  as 
equivalent  to  a  victory.  To  bring  such  a  charge  against 
Sir  John  on  this  occasion  is  as  just  as  to  censure  Frede- 
ric the  Great  for  disappearing  from  the  field  of  Liegnitz 
when  he  had  made  Loudon  "get  out  of  that,"  as  did 
van  Kensselaer's  militia,  and  then  did  not  wait  to  be 
fallen  upon  with  crushing  force  by  Daun  and  Lascy,  re- 
presented in  this  case  by  Colonels  Duboise  and  Harper, 
who  had  more  men  than  he  could  oppose  to  them.  Sir 
John's  capture  of  Yrouman's  detachment,  sent  to  intercept 
him,  will  complete  the  parallel  as  a  set  off  to  Frederic's 
tricking  Soltikoif,  advancing  for  a  similar  purpose  to 
complete  the  toils,  in  1760. 

"I  know,"  said  St.  Paul  (Phillipians  iv.,  12),  "both 
how  to  be  abased,  and  I  know  how  to  abound."  This 
remark  applies  eminently  to  war.  Alexander,  Hannibal, 
11 


Ixxvi  Sir  John  Johnson. 

Caesar,  Gustavus,  Frederic  and  Napoleon  knew  when  to 
retreat  and  when  to  fight— the  latter  never  at  the  volition 
of  an  enemy.  Some  generals  are  known  to  fame  by  little 
more  than  successful  retreats  :  those  of  Baner  from  Tor- 
gau,  in  1637 ;  Yaudomont  before  Villeroi,  in  1695  ;  Frede- 
ric before  Traun,  in  1744 ;  Moreau  through  the  Black 
Forest,  in  1796,  and  a  hundred  others  are  cited  as  brilliant 
eiforts  of  generalship,  better  than  victories,  when  a  thou- 
sand successful  battles  are  forgotten  as  unworthy  of  ex- 
emplary citation. 

This  little  work,  it  is  true,  is  treating  of  operations 
which  are  mere  pigmies  in  comparison  to  the  gigantic 
parallels  cited,  in  connection ;  but  the  trite  remark  must 
be  remembered,  that  ' '  the  destinies  of  the  world  were  be- 
ing decided  in  America  (during  the  Revolution)  by  colli- 
sions between  mere  detachments  or  squads  of  men." 

While  van  Rensselaer,  the  scion  of  a  race  which  dis- 
played uncommon  courage  in  the  Colonial  service,  was 
being  tried  and  it  was  sought  to  make  him  a  scape-goat 
for  the  shortcomings  of  his  superiors  and  inferiors,  Sir 
John  was  receiving  the  compliments,  in  public  orders,  of 
his  own  superior,  Gen.  Haldimand,  to  whom  the  German 
officers  in  America  have  given  in  their  published  corre- 
spondence and  narratives,  the  highest  praise  as  a  profes- 
sional soldier,  and  therefore,  professionally,  a  judge  of 
military  merit.  What  is  more,  as  a  farther  demonstration 
of  the  injustice  of  ordinary  history,  the  severe  Governor 
Clinton  was  either  with  van  Rensselaer  or  near  at  hand, 
and  consequently  as  much  to  blame  as  the  latter  for  the 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixxvii 

escape  of  Sir  John.  Stone,  who  wrote  at  a  time  when  as 
yet  there  were  plenty  of  living  contemporaries,  distinctly 
says  that  Gov.  Clinton  was  with  Gen.  van  Bensselaer 
just  before  the  battle,  and  remained  at  Fort  Plain  while 
the  battle  was  taking  place  a  few  miles  distant.  Finally, 
the  testimony  taken  before  the  court-martial  indicates 
that  the  Americans  were  vastly  superior  in  numbers  to 
Sir  John's  Whites  and  Indians  (if  not  treble  or  even  quad- 
ruple his  force),  and  it  was  the  want,  as  usual,  of  true  fight- 
ing pluck  in  the  Indians,  and  their  abandonment  of  their 
white  associates,  which  made  the  result  at  all  indecisive 
for  the  Loyalists.  Had  the  redskins  stood  their  ground 
some  of  the  militia  ought  not  to  have  stopped  short  of 
Schenectady.  All  accounts  agree  that  the  invaders  had 
been  over- worked  and  over-weighted,  foot-sore  and  fatigued, 
having  performed  extraordinary  labors  and  marches ; 
whereas,  except  as  to  ordinary  expeditiousness,  the 
Americans,  quasi-regulars  and  militia,  were  fresh  and  in 
light  marching  order,  for  they  were  just  from  home.  So 
much  stress  has  been  laid  on  this  fight,  because  it  has 
been  always  unfairly  told,  except  before  the  court-mar- 
tial which  exonerated  van  Rensselaer.  Ordinary  human 
judgment  makes  the  philosopher  weep  and  laugh:  weep 
in  sorrow  at  the  fallacy  of  history,  and  laugh  in  bitterness 
at  the  follies  and  prejudices  of  the  uneducated  and  unre- 
flecting. 

Some  of  the  greatest  commanders  who  have  ever  lived 
have  not  escaped  the  accusation  of  want  of  spirit  at  one 
time  or  another.  Even  Napoleon  has  been  blamed  for 


Ixxviii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

not  suffering  himself  to  be  killed  at  Waterloo,  thus  ending 
his  career  in  a  blaze  of  glory.  Malice  vented  itself  in  such 
a  charge  against  the  gallant  leader  who  saved  the  ' '  middle 
zone"  to  the  Union,  and  converted  the  despondency  of 
retreat  and  defeat  into  victory.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact 
that  the  majority  of  people  always  select  two  vituperative 
charges  the  most  repugnant  to  a  man  of  honor,  to  hurl  at 
the  objects  of  their  dislike,  perhaps  because  they  are  those 
to  which  they  themselves  are  most  open — falsehood  and 
poltroonery ;  forgetting  that  it  is  not  the  business  of  a 
commander  to  throw  away  a  life  which  does  not  belong 
to  himself  individually  but  to  the  general  welfare  of  his 
troops.  Mere  "physical  courage,"  as  has  been  well  said 
by  a  veteran  soldier,  "is  largely  a  question  of  nerves." 
Moral  courage  is  THE  God-like  quality,  the  lever  which  in 
all  ages  has  moved  this  world.  Moreover  it  is  the  corner- 
stone of  progress;  and  without  it  brute  insensibility  to 
danger  would  have  left  the  nineteenth  century  in  the  same 
condition  as  the  "Stone  Age."  A  man,  bred  as  Sir  John 
had  been,  who  had  the  courage  to  give  up  everything  for 
principle,  and  with  less  than  a  modern  battalion  of  whites 
plunge  again  and  again  into  the  territory  of  his  enemies, 
bristling  with  forts  and  stockaded  posts,  who  could  put  in 
the  field  forty-five  regiments  (?),  of  which  seventeen  were  in 
Albany  and  five  in  Try  on  counties — the  actual  scenes  of 
conflict — besides  distinct  corps  of  State  levies  raised  for 
the  protection  of  the  frontiers — in  which  every  other  man 
was  his  deadly  foe,  and  the  majority  capital  marksmen, 
that  could  shoot  off  a  squirrel's  head  at  a  hundred  yards — 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixxix 

such  a  man  must  have  had  a  very  large  amount  of  the 
hero  in  his  composition.  Americans  would  have  been 
only  too  willing  to  crown  him  with  this  halo,  if  he  had 
fought  on  their  side  instead  of  fighting  so  desperately 
against  them. 

In  conclusion,  readers,  your  attention  is  invited  for  a 
short  space  to  a  few  additional  considerations.  Sir  William 
Johnson  was  the  son  of  his  own  deeds  and  the  creature  of 
the  bounty  of  his  sovereign.  He  owed  nothing  to  the 
people.  They  had  not  added  either  to  his  influence, 
affluence,  position  or  power.  If  this  was  true  of  the 
father  as  a  beneficiary  of  the  Crown,  how  much  more  so  of 
the  son.  The  people  undertook  to  deprive  the  latter  of 
that  which  they  had  neither  bestowed  nor  augmented. 
They  injured  him  in  almost  every  way  that  a  man  could 
be  injured ;  and  they  made  that  which  was  the  most  com- 
mendable in  him  —  his  loyalty  to  a  gracious  benefactor, 
his  crime,  and  punished  him  for  that  which  they  should 
have  honored.  They  struck ;  and  he  had  both  the  spirit, 
the  power,  and  the  opportunity  to  strike  back.  His  retali- 
ation may  not  have  been  consistent  with  the  literal  admo- 
nition of  the  Gospel,  but  there  was  nothing  in  it  inconsistent 
with  the  ordinary  temper  of  humanity  and  manliness. 

Some  disciples  of  " Indifferentism"  have  argued  that 
Sir  John  should  have  remained  neutral,  like  Lord  Fairfax, 
and  retained  his  popularity  and  saved  his  property  by  the 
sacrifice  of  his  principles.  These  forget  the  severe  judg- 
ment of  the  ancient  Greek  philosopher  and  lawgiver  on 
such  as  they. 


Ixxx  Sir  John  Johnson. 

"It  was  a  remarkable  law  of  Solon,  that  any  person 
who,  in  the  commotions  of  the  Republic,  remained  neuter, 
or  an  INDIFFERENT  spectator  of  the  contending  parties, 
should  be  condemned  to  perpetual  banishment" 

The  people  of  this  era  have  no  conception  of  the  fear- 
ful significance  of  Loyalty,  one  hundred  years  since. 
Loyalty,  then,  was  almost  paramount  to  religion ;  next 
after  a  man's  duty  to  his  God  was  his  allegiance  to  his 
prince.  "Noblesse  oblige"  has  been  blazoned  as  the  high- 
est commendation  of  the  otherwise  vicious  aristocracy  of 
France.  It  is  charged  that  when  the  perishing  Bourbon 
dynasty  was  in  direst  need  of  defenders  it  discovered  them 
* '  neither  in  its  titled  nobility  nor  in  its  native  soldiers, ' ' 
but  in  mercenaries.  Whereas,  in  America,  George  III. 
found  daring  champions  in  the  best  citizens  of  the  land,  and 
foremost  in  the  front  rank  of  these  stood  Sir  John  Johnson. 
Hume,  who  is  anything  but  an  imaginative  or  enthusiastic 
writer,  couples  LOYALTY  AND  PATRIOTISM  together ;  and 
with  his  philosophical  words  this  vindication  of  Sir  John 
Johnson  is  committed  to  the  calm  and  unprejudiced  judg- 
ment of  readers  : 

"The  most  inviolable  attachment  to  the  laws  of  our 
country  is  everywhere  acknowledged  a  capital  virtue; 
and  where  the  people  are  not  so  happy  as  to  have  any 
legislature  but  a  SINGLE  PERSON,  THE  STRICTEST  LOYALTY 

H,    IN   THAT   CASE,    THE    TRUEST   PATRIOTISM." 

"  Hopes  have  precarious  life ; 
They  are  oft  blighted,  withered,  snapt  sheer  off : 
But  FAITHFULNESS  can  feed  on  SUFFERING, 
And  knows  no  disappointment." 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixxxi 

CONSIDERATIONS 

BEARING  UPON  THE  VIOLATION — SO-STYLED — OP  A  PAROLE  (?) 
SAID  TO  HAVE  BEEN  GIVEN  BY  SlR  JOHN  JOHNSON,  BART. 

(See  text,  page  xl,  supra.) 

The  plan  on  which  turns  the  whole  right  or  wrong  of 
the  parole  story,  as  detailed  in  a  letter  to  General  Sulli- 
van, 14th  March,  1776,  frequently  cited,  emphasizes  the 
directions  to  Dayton,  that  care  must  be  taken  to  prevent 
Sir  John  Johnson  from  being  apprised  of  the  real  design 
of  his  opponents.  Fortunately  the  communication  des- 
patched, although  cunningly  conceived,  was  not  sufficient- 
ly ingenious  to  conceal  the  latent  intention.  As  van  der 
Does,  in  Leyden,  wrote  to  Yaldez,  the  Spanish  general  be- 
sieging, and  trying  to  delude  him,  its  governor,  into  sur- 
rendering the  town:  "The  fowler  plays  sweet  notes  on 
his  pipe  when  he  spreads  his  net  for  the  bird" — even  so 
the  Loyalist  leader  was  not  deceived  by  the  specious 
words  of  his  enemies,  seeking  to  enmesh  him. 

Lossing,  who  had  all  the  original  papers  in  his  hands, 
admits  (II.,  69)  a  snare :  "The  wily  baronet  was  not  to 
be  caught  in  the  snare  laid  for  him  by  Schuyler." — J.  W. 
de  P.'s  "Sir  John  Johnson's  Address,"  Appendix  L, 
page  vi.,  col.  1,  2. 

Dr.  F.  H.  Roof,  of  Rhinebeck,  forwarded,  19th  June,  1880,  lo  the 
writer,  a  copy  of  a  letter,  which  is  pretty  good  proof  that,  in  the  whole 
of  the  paroling  business,  the  relative  positions  of  the  parties  in  anta- 
gonism, and  the  circumstances  connected  therewith,  are  not  only  mis- 
understood, but  have  been  consistently  misrepresented.  To  clear  this 
up  is  impossible,  because  the  documentary  testimony  on  the  loyal  side 


Ixxxii  Sir  John  Johnson. 

has  almost  entirely  perished  or  disappeared.  This  letter  was  the  pro- 
perty of  Henry  Loucks,  a  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Roof's  father  (formerly 
a  law  partner  of  Abraham  van  Vechten)  both  now  deceased.  Upon  the 
back  of  the  original  was  the  following  note  by  Mr.  Loucks  :  *'  Sir  John 
Johnson's  granddaughter,  1777,  Helen  McDonald  ;  presented  me  by  a 
granddaughter  of  Jellis  Fonda,  Oct,  7,  1840.  H.  L."  The  date  must 
refer  to  that  of  the  letter,  because  Sir  John  could  not  have  had  a  grand- 
daughter capable  of  writing  any  letter  in  1777 ;  but  one  of  his  grand- 
daughters did  marry  a  Colonel  McDonald,  and  the  latter  may  have 
been  a  descendant,  a  relative,  or  a  connection  of  the  McDonell,  or  Mc- 
Donald, who  was  chief  of  the  Highlanders  dependent  upon  Sir  John, 
who  surrendered  their  arms  20th  January  (?),  1776,  and  was  one  of  the 
six  hostages  for  the  rest,  seized  at  that  time. 

COPY  OF  LETTER. — "Sin:  Some  time  ago  I  wrote  you  a  letter, 
much  to  this  purpose,  concerning  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Bush  being 
made  prisoners.  There  was  no  such  thing  then  in  agitation  as  you 
was  pleased  to  observe  in  your  letter  to  me  this  morning.  Mr.  Billie 
Laird  came  amongst  the  people  to  give  them  warning  to  go  in  to  sign 
and  swear.  To  this  they  will  never  consent,  being  already  prisoners  of 
General  Schuyler.  His  Excellency  was  pleased  by  your  proclamation, 
directing  every  one  of  them  to  return  to  their  farms,  and  that  they 
should  be  no  more  troubled  nor  molested  during  the  war.  To  this  they 
agreed,  and  have  not  done  anything  against  the  country,  nor  intend  to, 
if  let  alone.  If  not,  they  will  lose  their  lives  before  being  taken  prison- 
ers AGAIN.  They  begged  the  favour  of  me  to  write  to  Major  Fonda  and 
the  gentlemen  of  the  committee  to  this  purpose.  They  blame  neither 
the  one  nor  the  other  of  you  gentlemen,  but  those  ill-natured  fellows 
amongst  them  that  get  up  an  excitement  about  nothing,  in  order  to  in- 
gratiate themselves  in  your  favour.  They  were  of  very  great  hurt  to 
your  cause  since  May  last,  through  violence  and  ignorance.  I  do  not 
know  what  the  consequences  would  have  been  to  them  long  ago,  if  not 
prevented.  Only  think  what  daily  provocation  does. 

"Jenny  joins  me  in  compliments  to  Mrs.  Fonda. 

"  I  am,  Sir, 

"  Your  humble  servant, 

"CALLACHIE,  15th  March,  1777.  "HELEN  MCDONELL." 

"  Major  JEM-IS  FONDA,  at  Caughnawaga." 

In  this  connection  nothing  can  be  more  pertinent  than  the  remarks 
of  "  our  greatest  and  our  best,"  General  GEORGE  H.  THOMAS,  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  "  Slaveholders'  Rebellion,"  in  1861-2:  "  In  a  dis- 
cussion of  the  causes  given  for  their  action  by  some  officers  who  de- 


Sir  John  Johnson.  Ixxxiii 

serted  the  Government  at  the  beginning  of  the  Rebellion,  I  (a  friend  of 
Thomas)  ventured  the  assertion  that,  perhaps,  some  of  them  at  distant 
posts  had  acted  ignorantly;  that  I  had  been  informed  that  some  of  them 
had  been  imposed  upon  by  friends  and  relatives,  and  led  to  believe  that 
there  was  to  be  a  peaceable  dissolution  of  the  Union ;  that  there  would 
be  no  actual  government  for  the  whole  country,  and  by  resigning  their 
commissions  they  were  only  taking  the  necessary  steps  towards  re- 
turning to  the  allegiance  of  their  respective  States.  .  He  replied,  'That 
this  was  but  a  poor  excuse ;  he  could  not  believe  officers  of  the  army 
were  so  ignorant  of  their  own  form  of  government  as  to  suppose  such 
proceedings  could  occur  ;  and  as  they  had  sworn  allegiance  to  the  Go- 
vernment, they  were  bound  to  adhere  to  it,  and  would  have  done  so  if  they 
had  been  »o  inclined.'1  He  said,  '  there  was  no  excuse  whatever  in  a 
United  States  officer  claiming  the  right  of  secession,  and  the  only  ex- 
cuse for  their  deserting  the  Government  was,  what  none  of  them  ad- 
mitted, having  engaged  in  a  rebellion  against  tyranny,  because  the 
tyranny  did  not  exist,  and  they  well  knew  it.'  I  then  asked  him  ;  '  Sup- 
posing such  a  state  of  affairs  existed,  that  arrangements  were  being 
made  for  a  peaceable  dissolution  by  the  Government,  the  North  from 
the  South,  and  that  it  was  in  progress,  what  would  you  have  done  ?' 
He  promptly  replied  :  '  That  is  not  a  supposable  case ;  the  Government 
cannot  dissolve  itself;  it  is  the  creature  of  the  people,  and  until  they 
had  agreed  by  their  votes — that  is,  the  votes  of  the  whole  country,  not 
a  portion  of  it — to  dissolve  it,  and  it  was  accomplished  in  accordance 
therewith,  the  Government  to  which  they  had  sworn  allegiance  re- 
mained, and  as  long  as  it  did  exist  I  should  have  adhered  to  it.'  " 

There  is  in  this  extract  a  clear  recognition  of  the  obligation  of  his 
oath  to  support  the  Government,  and  at  this  very  point  the  better  class  of 
Southern  officers  who  joined  the  Rebellion,  and  who  perhaps  took  this 
step  with  reluctance,  made  direct  issue  with  Thomas.  They  claimed  that 
their  oath  of  office  was  obligatory  only  while  they  held  office,  and  that 
all  obligation  ceased  with  resignation,  especially  when  their  resigna- 
tions were  accepted.  This  assumption  rests  upon  the  supposed  fact 
that  supreme  allegiance  is  due  to  a  single  State  rather  than  to  the  Union 
of  the  States  or  nation  represented  by  the  General  Government.  The 
subtle  logic,  by  which  the  doctrine  of  State  Rights  was  carried  to  the 
complete  negation  of  the  national  unity,  or  autonomy,  had  no  force 
with  General  Thomas,  although  he  greatly  regretted  the  necessity  of 
choosing  between  the  General  Government  and  his  own  State,  in  alle- 
giance with  other  Southern  States.  And  although  he  had  not  enter- 
tained Northern  views  of  the  institution  of  Slavery,  he  did  not  hesitate 
to  maintain  his  allegiance  to  the  National  Government ;  and,  in  contrast 
12 


Ixxxiv 


Sir  John  Johnson. 


» 


with  those  who  claimed  their  freedom  from  the  obligation  of  their  oath 
of  allegiance,  when  their  resignations  had  been  accepted,  carrying  this 
freedom  to  the  extreme  sequence,  that  they  could  legitimately  array 
themselves  in  war  against  the  Government  that  had  just  freed  them. 
Thomas  believed  that  there  was  a  moral  and  legal  obligation  that  for- 
bade resignation,  with  a  view  to  take  up  arms  against  the  Government. 
And  from  this  point  of  view  he  condemned  the  national  authorities  for 
accepting  the  resignation  of  officers,  when  aware  that  it  was  their  inten- 
,.-r  -•  ,  j  •*  „  •  tion  to  join  the  Rebellion  as  soon  as  they  were  in  this  way  freed  from  the 
i— ».•*,*' f/»>  obligation  of  their  oath  of  allegiance.  In  his  view,  resignation  did  not 
-..«•  give  them  freedom  to  take  up  arms  against  the  General  Government, 
and,  resting  upon  this  ground,  he  did  not  wait  till  his  own  State  had 
seceded  to  make  up  his  own  decision,  but  made  it  in  entire  indepen- 
dence of  her  probable  action  in  the  national  crisis." — Chaplain  Thomas 
B.  Van  Home's  "Life  of  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,"  pp.  26,  27. 


"  Against  STUPIDITY  the  gods  are  powerless." — GOETHE. 


"  When  through  dense  woods  primeval  bower'd 
A  perfect  hail  of  bullets  shower'd, 
Where  bold  Thayendanega  tower' d — 
Good  old  Harkheimer  prov'd  no  coward, 
Commanding  at  Oriskany ! 

"  True  to  his  Teuton  lineage, 
Foremost  amidst  the  battle's  rage, 
As  bold  in  fight,  in  council  sage, 
Most  glorious  as  he  quit  the  stage 
Of  life,  by  the  Oriskany  ! 

"Although  he  felt  the  mortal  wound. 
Though  fell  in  swathes  his  soldiers  'round, 
Propp'd  'gainst  his  saddle,  on  the  ground, 
He  calmly  smok'd,  gave  counsel  sound, 
'Mid  war-whirl  at  Oriskany  ! 

"  War  never  fiercer  sight  has  seen 

Than  when  Sir  Johnson's  cohort  green 
Charged  on  the  Mohawk  rangers  keen  ; 
The  sole  such  strife  Almanza  'd  been 
As  that  on  the  Oriskany  ! 

"  New  York's  bold  yeomen,  Watts,  at  head, 
Breasted  meet  foes — New  Yorkers  bred — 
There,  eye  to  eye,  they  fought,  stabb'd,  bled  ; 
Bosom  to  bosom  strove,  fell  dead 
In  ambush  of  Oriskany  ! 

Ixxxv 


Ixxxvi  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

"Alone  can  Berwick's  shudder  tell 
What  fury  rul'd  that  moment  fell, 
When  Frenchman's  steel  hiss'd  Frenchman's  knell  ; 
Horrent  made  the  sole  parallel 
To  battle  of  Oriskany  ! 

"  Teeth  with  like  frantic  fury  set, 
*  There  Frank  died  on  "Frank's  bayonet — 

Here  neighbor  death  from  neighbor  met, — 

With  kindred  blood  both  fields  were  wet, 
Almanza*  and  Oriskany  ! 

"And,  ceas'd  the  storm  whose  rage  had  vied, 
With  ruthless  shock  of  fratricide. 
There  lay  the  Mohawk  Valley's  pride 
Just  as  they  fought,  stark,  side  by  side, 
Along  the  red  Oriskany  ! 

"  Though  neither  force  could  triumph  claim 
In  war's  dread,  dazzling,  desperate  game, 
Enkindled  there,  the  smould'ring  flame 
Of  Freedom  blazed,  to  make  thy  name 
All  glorious,  Oriskany!" 

"ANCHOR"'  (J.  W.  de  P.),  in  Chas.  G.  Jones'  Military  Gazette,  Nov.,  1860. 

These  verses  were  exquisitely  translated  into  German,  and  printed  in  Kapp's  "Ein- 
•wanderung"  I.,  389,  by  Miss  Marie  Blode. 


*  The  battle  of  Almanza,  fought  on  the  25th  April,  1707,  was  re- 
markable in  two  respects — first,  for  its  result,  in  that  it  assured  the 
crown  of  Spain  to  Philip  V. ;  second  for  a  bloody  episode,  which  it  is 
said  the  Duke  of  Berwick,  bigoted  and  pitiless  as  he  always  proved 
himself  to  be,  qpuld  never  recall  without  a  shudder  of  horror.  In  the 
midst  of  that  conflict,  John  Cavalier,  the  expatriated  French  Protestant 
hero,  with  his  battalion  of  fellow-exiles,  the  Camisards,  or  Huguenots 
of  Languedoc,  found  themselves  opposed  to  a  regiment  of  French 
Roman  Catholics,  who  it  is  supposed  had  been  chiefly  instrumental 
in  applying  the  atrocities  of  the  Dragonnades  against  their  native  Pro- 
testant brethren.  No  sooner  had  they  recognized  each  other,  than  the 
two  corps,  without  exchanging  a  shot,  rushed  to  the  attack  with  the 
bayonet,  and  engaged  in  such  a  mutual,  inveterate  slaughter  that,  ac- 
cording to  the  testimony  of  Marshal,  the  Duke  of  Berwick,  not  over 
three  hundred  survived  of  both  corps.  As  the  Camisards  constituted 
a  battalion  of  700  men,  and  the  Roman  Catholics  a  full  regiment  of  at 
least  1000  effectives,  only  one  out  of  every  six  combatants  survived 
the  merciless  conflict.  Such  a  slaughter  is  almost  unparalleled  in 
history. 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  Ixxxvii 

England  has  never  been  prolific  in  great,  nay  in  even 
moderately  great  generals,  however  exuberant  in  crops  of 
the  bravest  soldiers.  Since  Marlborough,  who  culminated 
at  Hochstedt  or  Blenheim,  13th  August,  1704 — ITS  years 
ago — there  have  been  only  three  who  stand  forth  as  re- 
markable leaders — Wolfe,  -Olive  and  Wellington.  Olive 
was  destined  to  the  command  against  the  revolted  colonies, 
and  if  he  had  displayed  in  America  the  tremendous  power, 
influence  and  fortune  he  exerted  in  Hindostan,  the  history 
of  the  American  Revolution  would  have  had  a  different 
termination.  The  name  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  "a 
heaven-born  general, "  has  been  associated  with  that  of  Lord 
Olive  by  more  than  one  English  writer  of  distinction,  and 
particularly  by  one  of  Great  Britain's  best  military  an- 
nalists, Sir  Edward  Oust.  Lord  Olive  perished  by  suicide, 
22d  Nov.,  1774,  and  Sir  William  Johnson,  it  is  insinuated, 
but  falsely,  in  the  same  manner  on  llth  July,  1774.  He 
died  of  chronic,  malignant  dysentery. 

American  affairs  were  desperate  enough  in  1776  and 
1777,  in  1780,  and  even  in  1781,  to  need  only  a  feather's 
weight  in  the  scale  to  sink  it  into  ruin.  A  breath  of 
genius  would  have  done  this,  but  there  was  no  one  to 
breathe  it.  Cornwallis  might  have  done  so  had  he  oc- 
cupied an  independent  position  like  Marlborough,  Wolfe, 
Olive  or  Wellington,  and  have  added  his  name  to  these 
illustrious  four. 

Unfortunately  for  England,  and  luckily  for  the  United 
States,  he  was  subordinate  to  successive  superiors,  who 
were  his  inferiors  in  everything  but  rank.  Gage  was 


Ixxxviii  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

weak  and  vacillating  ;  Howe  indolent  and  self-indulgent ; 
Burgoyne  vain,  self-seeking  and  over-confident;  Clinton 
nervous  and  afraid  of  responsibility.  Carleton  and  Corn- 
wallis  are  the  only  two  of  high  rank  that  relieve  the  picture. 
There  were  able  men  in  lower  grades,  but  they  exercised 
only  restricted  influence.  The  American  Revolution 
was  a  political  quarrel  between  parties  in  England.  It 
was  fought  out  with  so  much  bitterness  that,  to  injure  the 
Tories,  the  Whigs  were  willing  to  sacrifice  the  worth, 
wealth  and  welfare  of  the  empire.  Without  this  wordy  fight 
in  Parliament,  the  bloody  conflict  in  America  would  not 
have  lasted  six  months.  It  was  the  story  of  Hannibal 
over  again.  The  violence  of  faction  in  the  senate  house 
of  Carthage,  at  home,  sacrificed  the  hero  who  was  breaking 
down,  abroad,  the  deadly  enemy  of  his  country,  and  the 
oligarchs  in  Africa  carried  this  spite  so  far  that,  with 
the  fall  of  the  victimized  hero,  fell  the  commonwealth 
which  he  sustained.  No  wonder  he  burst  out  into  a 
sardonic  fit  of  laughter  when  he  saw  the  oligarchs,  ab- 
ject, broken-hearted,  hopeless,  weeping  the  bitterest  tears 
on  feeling  the  ruin  they  had  caused  when  they  beheld  their 
own  riches  the  prey  of  Roman  flames.  The  Loyalists  of 
America  were  representatives  of  the  spirit  of  the  Barcidse— 
faint  imitations  of  the  genius,  but  strong  representatives 
of  the  feeling  which  lay  beneath  it.  Like  Hannibal  they 
expiated  their  patriotism  and  loyalty — all  in  exile,  some  in 
poverty,  many  on  foreign  fields  of  battle,  others  in  prison, 
not  for  crime  but  debt,  when  rebels  were  revelling  in  their 
sequestrated  possessions — and  all  MARTYRS  ;  for  there  can 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  Ixxxix 

be  no  martyrdom  without  a  full  appreciation  of  the  cause — 
a  complete  perception  of  the  result  and  a  perfect  willing- 
ness to  suffer  for  principle. 

Tradition  can  scarcely  be  deemed  worthy  of  satisfying 
legitimate  importance,  or  perhaps  more  properly  speak- 
ing of  serious  consideration,  by  a  historian,  unless  sup- 
ported or  corroborated  by  other  irrefutable  testimony, 
less  susceptible  of  the  influence  of  time  and  the  weakness 
of  the  human  structure.  Even  physical  proofs,  if  they 
continue  to  subsist,  are  only  trustworthy  as  to  locality 
or  results,  but  not  as  to  the  "why"  and  the  "when," 
which,  after  all,  to  the  philosopher,  are  of  the  most  conse- 
quence. This  remark  as  to  the  little  weight  that  can  be 
attached  to  human  recollections,  transmitted  from  genera- 
tion to  generation,  is  particularly  applicable  to  the  Johnson 
family  in  the  State  of  New  York  and  especially  respecting 
Sir  John  Johnson,  the  last  of  them  who  figured  in  con- 
nection with  the  affairs  of  the  Mohawk  Yalley.  If  ever 
a  mortal  has  been  the  victim  of  bigotted  prejudice  and 
continuous  misrepresentation,  he  is  the  man.  The  English 
translator  of  von  Clausewitz's  "Campaign  in  Russia,"  in 
1812,  remarks  in  regard  to  the  action  of  the  Prussian 
General  York,  on  which  hinged  the  fate  of  Napoleon, 
that,  whether  the  Prussian  general  should  be  regarded  as 
a  traitor  or  a  hero,  was  not  dependent  on  what  he  risked 
or  did,  but  upon  subsequent  developments  based  there- 
upon. The  same  doubt  hangs  over  the  memory  of 
Wallenstein.  That,  the  last,  never  can  be  cleared  up, 
although  with  time  York  has  received  full  justice.  Sir 


xc  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

John  Johnson  belongs  to  the  category  of  "Wallenstein,  be- 
cause he  failed,  justifying  the  maxim — "to  appear  abso- 
lutely able  a  man  must  always  be  successful."  Human 
success,  as  a  rule,  is  the  counterfeit  of  merit  in  the  ma- 
jority of  cases ;  as  regards  the  recipient  of  the  re\vard,  a 
sham.  It  is  often  the  greatest  of  impostors.  It  has  cer- 
tainly been  so  in  American  history.  And,  yet,  it  is  the 
fallacy  which  is  always  accepted  by  the  masses — who 
never  reason — as  the  reality. 

One  of  the  closest  students  of  American  history,  con- 
siders that  the  two  men  greatest  in  themselves  who  exerted 
an  influence  on  the  colonies  were  Sir  William  Pepperell, 
Captor  of  Louisburg,  and  Sir  William  Johnson,  "the  In- 
dian Tamer."  In  regard  to  the  latter,  public  opinion  has 
been  led  astray.  It  believes  that  he  was  little  better  than 
an  adventurer,  who  owed  his  start  in  life  to  the  accidental 
patronage  of  his  uncle,  Admiral  Sir  Peter  Warren.  For 
Sir  William  Pepperell  the  best  informed  would  substitute 
Hon.  James  de  Lancey,  who  for  so  many  years  was 
Lieutenant  and  acting  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New 
York.  Of  him  the  great  PITT  remarked,  "Had  James 
de  Lancey  lived  in  England,  he  would  have  been  one  of 
the  first  men  in  the  kingdom." 

William,  afterwards  Sir  William  Johnson,  Bart.,  was 
more  directly  influential  in  the  arrest  which  involved  the 
overthrow  of  the  French  power  in  America  than  any  other 
individual ;  and  that  this  does  not  appear  in  popular  his- 
.tory  is  due  to  the  local  antagonisms,  prejudices,  and  in- 
terests, which  have  obscured  all  the  narratives  of  the 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  xci 

colonies  or  provinces  that  affected  more  or  less  closely 
the  arrogant  claims  of  New  England.  This  is  owing  to 
the  principle  which  is  most  evident  in  war,  that  while  the 
purely  defensive,  or  passive,  is  scarcely  ever,  if  ever,  suc- 
cessful, the  offensive  or  aggressive,  with  any  proportional 
power,  is  almost  always  so.  Example,  Alexander  of 
Macedon.  The  offensive-defensive  is  likewise  most  ad- 
visable— witness  the  triumph  of  "Frederic  II.  of  Prussia, 
the  greatest  man  who  was  ever  born  a  king." 

When,  nearly  half  a  century  ago,  the  writer  first  had 
his  attention  directed  to  American  history,  he  placed  great 
faith  in  standard  works,  accepted  by  older  men,  as  un- 
questionable authority.  As  he  investigated  more  closely 
this  faith  became  gradually  chilled  and  in  many  cases 
killed.  Then  he  came  to  appreciate  the  force  of  the  Latin 
proverb,  "  Hear  the  other  side."  A  sterner  scrutiny  and 
harsher  judgment  was  now  applied  to  every  book,  nor 
were  apparent  facts  alone  subjected  to  microscopic  exam- 
ination. Attention  was  directed  to  the  motives  which 
imperceptibly  or  visibly  guided  the  pens  or  influenced  the 
periods  of  our  most  popular  and  polished  writers.  With 
St.  Paul  he  perceived  that  those  ' '  who  seemed  to  be  pillars  " 
were  not  stone  or  marble  but  deceptions,  stucco  or  frailer 
material.  All  this  led  to  the  conviction  tliat  no  one  can 
prepare  a  satisfactory  narrative,  especially  of  a  battle, 
who  does  not  go  back  to  original  documents  on  both  sides, 
or  at  least  to  the  works  in  which  they  have  been  reproduced ; 
who  has  riot  reflected  upon  the  animus  which  did  or 
might  actuate  the  authors  of  such  papers ;  who  has  not 
13 


xcii  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

weighed  report  against  report ;  and  then,  and  only  then, 
after  a  careful  study  of  the  character  of  the  actors  and 
consideration  of  time,  place,  and  circumstances,  has  formed 
an  opinion  for  himself.  His  first  story  of  Oriskany  was 
written  in  1859;  his  second  in  1869;  his  third  in  1878; 
his  fourth  in  1880.  In  all  these  he  continued  to  pin  faith 
to  the  American  side  of  the  story.  Subsequently  he 
determined  to  investigate  with  equal  care  the  Loyal  story 
and  British  side,  pure  and  simple ;  this,  with  the  discovery 
of  Sir  John  Johnson's  "Orderly  Book,"  has  brought  with 
it  a  feeling  that,  although  the  moral  effect  of  the  battle, 
particularly  upon  the  Indians,  was  to  a  great  extent  de- 
cisive, the  physical  circumstances  were  not  so  creditable. 
It  was  a  sacrifice  rather  than  a  conflict ;  an  immolation, 
a  holocaust  which  Heaven  accepted,  as  the  Great  Ruler 
ever  accepts,  not  according  to  what  is  actually  given,  but 
according  as  man  purposeth  in  his  heart  to  give.  "For 
if  there  be  first  a  willing  mind,  it  is  accepted  according  to 
that  a  man  hath,  and  not  according  to  that  he  hath  not." 
As  it  was  admirably  put  in  his  Centennial,  by  the  Hon. 
Ellis  H.  Roberts,  uIIerJcimer>8  glory  is  that  out  of  such  a 
slaughter  he  snatched  the  substance"  This  is  a  sentence 
Mnll  live,  for  it  is  the  concrete  truth  in  a  very  few  admir- 
able words. 

In  comparing  Oriskany  to  Thermopylae,  there  is  no 
intention  to  contrast  the  physical  circumstances.  In  both 
cases,  however,  a  heroic  leader  offered  himself  for  the 
defence  of  his  country  and  lost  his  life  in  consequence. 
In  both  cases  a  portion  of  the  troops  did  their  duty  and 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  xciii 

another  portion  failed,  ingloriously,  to  do  so.  Eventually, 
the  Greeks,  like  the  Mohawkers,  were  surrounded  and 
few  escaped  death,  wounds  or  captivity.  A  pass,  whether 
across  a  marsh,  or  through  a  wood,  or  among  mountains, 
any  similar  locality,  in  fact,  is  in  a  military  sense  a  "defile." 
The  moral  similitudes  between  the  6th  July,  B.  C.  480, 
and  6th  August,  A.  D.  1777,  resemble  each  other  in  many 
respects.  Leonidas  fell  to  save  Attica  and  Athens ; 
Herkimer  to  relieve  Fort  Stanwix,  and  thus  preserve  his 
native  valley. 

A  better  parallel  to  certain  phases  of  Oriskany  is  the 
battle  of  Thrasimene,  B.  C.  217.  In  the  latter  case  the 
Gauls,  like  the  Indians  in  1777,  rushed  in  too  soon,  and 
thus  by  their  precipitation  enabled  a  small  portion  of  the 
Romans  to  escape.  Another  apposite  example  is  the 
battle  of  Crevant,  31st  July,  1423.  The  French  and  their 
Scotch  auxiliaries  were  besieging  Crevant,  about  one  hun- 
dred miles  southeast  of  Paris  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
Yonne,  and  the  English  and  Burgundians  advanced  to 
relieve  the  place.  In  this  case  the  result  of  Oriskany*  was 
reversed  under  similar  circumstances,  and  the  besiegers 
were  almost  all  slain  or  captured.  During  the  Austro- 
Hungarian  war  Gen.  Guyon  nearly  came  to  grief  in  a  sim- 
ilar trap  during  the  winter  of  1848-9.  Dade's  massacre 

*  The  fight,  disastrous  for  Bale  or  Basel  city,  striving,  in  1833,  to 
maintown  its  ancient  privileges  or  influence  over  the  whole  State, 
was  a  collision  similar  in  many  respects  to  Oriskany.  It  led  to  a  rup- 
ture between  the  Past  and  Present,  and  ended  in  a  division  of  the 
canton  into  two  half -cantons,  Bale  Ville  (city)  and  Bale  Campagne 
(country)  to  the  advantage  of  neither. 


xciv  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

by  Seminole  Indians,  28th  December,  1835,  in  Florida, 
was  a  miniature  of  Braddock's  overwhelming  on  the 
Monongahela,  9th  July,  1755.  The  glory  of  this  success 
belongs  to  Langlade,  the  famous  French  leader  of  Indians, 
who  prepared  a  similar  trap  for  Wolfe  on  the  Montmorenci, 
in  1759.  In  the  latter  the  great  English  leader  was  only 
saved  by  the  supercilious  self-sufficiency  of  the  French  re- 
gular superior  officers,  who  rejected  the  proposition  of 
the  partisan. 

It  is  somewhat  curious  that  in  the  same  way  that  the 
Provincials  seemed  to  have  better  strategical  as  well  as 
grand-tactical  views  than  professionals,  George  III.  was 
wiser  in  his  views  than  his  ministers  and  generals.  He 
suggested  a  route  for  Burgoyne  which,  had  fortune  favored 
instead  of  thwarting  it,  would  have  been  far  more  advan- 
tageous and  would  have  enabled  Burgoyne  to  reach  his 
objective,  Albany,  without  doubt.  The  movement  on 
this  point,  in  1777,  was  simply  reversing  the  plan  which 
was  triumphant  against  Canada  in  1759.  Alas  for  England, 
there  was  no  Pitt  at  the  head  of  military  and  colonial 
affairs  in  1777,  only  a  St.  Germaine ;  no  Wolfe,  but  a 
Burgoyne ;  no  Amherst,  but  a  Howe  and  then  a  Clinton  ; 
no  Prideaux  or  Sir  William  Johnson,  but  a  St.  Leger. 
Sir  William  Johnson's  son  might  have  rivalled  his  father's 
fortune  had  opportunity  favored  or  circumstances  per- 
mitted. Like  that  of  1759,  the  operations  of  1777  were 
not  simple,  but  complex,  triple.  In  1759,  Quebec  was  the 
first  objective.  Against  it  Wolfe  ascended  the  St.  Law- 
rence, Amherst  ascended  the  Hudson  and  descended  Lake 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  xcv 

Champlain,  and  Prideaux,  afterwards  Johnson,  ascended 
tbe  Mohawk  and  captured  Niagara.  In  1777,  Burgoyne  as- 
cended Lake  Champlain  and  descended  the  Hudson ;  St. 
Leger  ascended  the  St.  Lawrence  and  descended  the  Mo- 
hawk ;  and  Howe  (afterwards  Clinton)  was  to  ascend  the 
Hudson.  The  Burgoyne  of  1777,'  would  have  reached  his 
goal  had  he  been  the  Burgoyne  of  1762,  and  estimated, 
as  then,  the  value  of  time,  and  remembered  the  orders  of 
his  great  master  in  the  art  of  war,  Count  de  la  Lippe, 
through  which  he  avoided,  in  1762,  a  catastrophe  similar 
to  that  of  Saratoga.  Everything  contributed  to  insure 
the  Burgoyne  h'asco.  Where  Carleton  would  have  succeeded 
Burgoyne  must  have  failed.  The  most  important  function 
was  entrusted  to  St.  Leger  with  the  most  inadequate 
means.  St.  Leger  was  greatly  to  blame  because  he  did 
not  listen  to  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Colonel  Daniel  Glaus, 
and  because  he  underestimated  the  adversaries  he  had  to 
encounter  and  the  obstacles  he  had  to  overcome.  The 
greatest  culprit,  however,  was  Sir  William  Howe,  "the 
most  indolent  of  mortals,"  apathy  itself,  who,  with  or- 
dinary judgment,  energy,  and  even  a  spirit  of  lukewarm 
camaraderie,  could  have  even  remedied  the  shortcomings  of 
Burgoyne  and  the  blunders  of  St.  Leger.  If  Howe  had 
so  manoeuvred  in  the  Jerseys  as  to  occupy  the  attention 
of  Washington,  simply  demonstrating  in  his  front  with 
half  his  army,  which  half  was  fully  equal  to  the  whole 
force  under  Washington  at  this  time,  he  could  have  dis- 
patched at  least  7000  men  up  the  Hudson  to  co-operate 
with  Burgoyne.  If  Burgoyne  had  attended  to  his  busi- 


xcvi  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

ness  thoroughly,  and  acted  with  interprise  and  audacity, 
and  if  St.  Leger  had  had  from  1500  to  2000  whites,  instead 
of  about  400,  the  history  of  this  continent  would  have 
been  totally  diiferent.  All  ho\vever  hinged,  first  on 
Howe's  paralyzing  Washington,  second  on  St.  Leger' s 
cleaning  out  the  Mohawk  Valley.  The  campaign  of  1777, 
as  regards  the  British,  was  a  glaring  part  of  a  tissue  of 
blunders.  The  colonies  were  at  their  mercy,  if  they  had 
used  the  forces,  moral  and  physical,  under  their  control 
with  any  judgment — simple  common  sense.  The  Duke 
de  Lauzun  and  other  competent  military  judges  confirm 
these  views. 

It  is  ridiculous,  however,  in  a  mere  military  point  of 
view,  to  claim  that  all  the  advantages  in  this  contest  were 
in  favor  of  the  British.  They  might  have  been,  had 
they  utilized  the  Loyalists,  respected  thttn,  shown  energy 
and  activity,  and  forgotten  professional  conceit  and  iner- 
tion  in  zeal  for  the  crown  and  patriotic  desire  to  maintain 
and  extend  the  glory  of  the  imperial  dominion.  The 
British,  like  Napoleon  in  Russia,  were  conquered  by 
space.  Paradox  as  it  may  seem  to  be,  discipline,  rigid 
martinet  regulation,  may  actually,  under  some  conditions, 
become  a  disadvantage.  Marksmen  with  some  idea  of 
drill  may  be  better  than  strictly  line  regulars  in  a  new, 
a  wooded,  and  a  rough  or  mountainous  country.  The 
range  of  heights  extending  from  northeast  to  southwest 
across  New  Jersey,  the  broken  elevations  and  extensive 
marshes  around  Morristown,  as  a  central  citadel,  and 
the  spur  shot  out  into  the  plain  opposite  the  elbow  of  the 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  xcvii 

Ilaritan,  between  Bound  Brook  and  Middle  Brook,  with 
its  gaps  for  sally-ports,  saved  the  American  cause.  Num- 
bers and  aim  won  the  first  fight  at  Hoosic  (mis-named 
Bennington),  and  then,  when  indiscipline,  dissolved  in 
plundering,  needed  the  support  of  discipline,  in  the 
second  fight,  Warner  came  in  with  his  Continentals  or 
regulars.  Man  for  man,  the  colonists  were  as  good  as 
the  best  British,  and,  being  willing,  better  than  the 
Germans  un- willing  combatants.  Why  riot?  They  were 
all  the  same  race,  and  the  world  has  yet  to  see  its  equal 
as  enduring  and  courageous  soldiers. 

And  here  it  is  pertinent  to  the  occasion  to  remark^ 
that  the  declamation  and  shrieks  of  the  Americans  at  tmr 
employment  of  the  Indians  by  the  British'is  the  sheeresr 
hypocrisy.  They  would  have  enlisted  the  tomahawk  and 
scalping-knife  without  the  slightest  repugnance  if  they 
could  have  bid  as  high  as  the  crown,  or  would  have  paid 
cash  down  as  honestly.  If  the  assistance  of  the  savages 
was  nefarious,  the  Americans  would  not  have  objected 
to  its  utilization  on  that  account,  if  they  could  have  con- 
tracted for,  coerced,  cajoled  or  controlled  it.  Lucky  for 
the  Americans  a  factious  opposition  in  England  and  Par- 
liament used  the  American  War  as  a  weapon  of  oifence 
against  the  crown,  just  as  the  Whigs  in  America  professed 
loyalty  to  the  King,  but  opposition,  nay  bitter  animosity, 
to  the  Ministry  and  Parliament.  As  Gen.  C.  S.  W. 
wrote  (from  Innsbruck,  19,  7,  1882),  "The  English 
government,  like  our  own,  is  a  government  of  party  ;  and 
the  consideration  of  gaining  or  losing  party-capital  out- 


xcviii  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

weighs  all  others."  "Of  course  the  thing  [Egypt]  was 
badly  man  aged  in  many  respects."  English  faction  nearly 
ruined  Wellington  in  Spain  and  colonial  congressional 
discordances  and  jealousies  very  nearly  occasioned  a  worse 
fate  for  Washington.  Even  the  liberally  praised  Chatham, 
in  his  hypocritical  denunciation  of  setting  the  Indian 
bloodhounds  upon  the  colonists,  was  reproved  or  shewn 
up  by  General,  Lord  Amherst,  and  rebuked  by  the  pro- 
duction of  his  orders,  when  Prime  Minister,  for  letting 
them  loose  upon  the  French.  The  Americans  courted 
the  assistance  of  the  Indians  with  assiduity,  but  the 
latter  foresaw  the  fate  which  would  attend  the  success 
of  the  colonists,  as  their  chiefs  in  council  foretold,  and 
remained  faithful  to  the  old  country,  which  had  always 
protected  and  fostered  them  and  treated  them  with  jus- 
tice and  forbearance. 

This  fact — just  referred  to — in  connection  with  the 
employment  of  Indians,  which  is  too  little  known,  is 
apposite  to  the  support  of  the  American  Revolution  in 
Parliament.  The  Earl  of  Chatham  (Pitt)  denounced  in 
the  House  of  Lords  the  employment  of  the  wild  Indians 
in  conjunction  with  the  British  troops,  although  he  himself, 
nineteen  years  before,  had  used  Indians  in  the  same  man- 
ner against  the  French  and  the  Canadians.  In  advocating 
his  views  he  waxed  still  more  loud  and  indignant,  "pour- 
ing out  fresh  volumes  of  words. "  "  Ministers  then  offered 
to  produce,  -from  the  depository  of  papers  in  the  Secre- 
tary's office,  documents  written  by  himself  to  prove  the 
charge.  The  dispute  grew  still  hotter;  and  at  length 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  xcix 

Lord  Amherst,  Chatham's  general,  who  had  commanded 
our  [the  British]  troops  in  that  Canadian  war,  was  so 
loudly  appealed  to  on  all  sides,  that  he  found  himself 
compelled  to  acknowledge  that  he  had  followed  the  ex- 
ample of  the  French  in  employing  savages,  which  he  would 
not  have  done  without  express  orders  from  government  at 
home.  He  even  offered  to  produce  the  orders,  if  his 
majesty  would  permit  him." 

Lord  Denbigh  rather  happily  called  Chatham  "The 
great  oracle  with  the  short  memory,"  and  stated  that 
"Chatham,  when  in  office  under  George  II.,  had  guided 
and  directed  everything  relating  to  the  war ;  had  monopo- 
lized functions  which  did  not  belong  to  him,  and  had  been 
excessively  jealous  of  any  interference  by  others,  whether 
boards  or  ministers." 

The  Lords  who  supported  Chatham  now  seemed  in- 
clined to  lay  the  question  by,  as  far  as  it  concerned  his 
veracity  or  correctness  of  memory.  According  to  Lord 
Brougham,  when  Lord  Bute  heard  what  had  passed  on 
this  occasion  in  the  House  of  Lords,  and  that  Chatham 
had  denied  his  having  employed  the  red  men  (or  Indians), 
he  exclaimed  with  astonishment,  "Did  Pitt  really  deny 
it  ?  Why,  I  have  his  letter  still  by  me,  singing  lo  Pceans 
of  the  advantages  we  were  to  gain  through  our  Indian 
allies."  As  a  political  question,  Whigs  against  Tories,  the 
cause  of  the  Colonies  was  fought  with  as  much  virulence 
with  words,  in  Parliament,  as,  with  weapons,  in  America, 
and  in  many  cases  with  just  as  much  principle. 

Let  the  consideration,  however,  confine  itself  to  Oris- 
14 


c    .  *  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

kany.  It  was  the  turning  point  of  the  Burgoyne  campaign 
and  of  the  American  Eevolution.  Within  the  scope  of 
the  considerations  before  dwelt  upon,  it  was  the  Thermo- 
pylae of  the  Colonies. 

In  regard  to  the  numbers  at  Oriskany  there  are  such 
discrepancies  in  the  various  accounts  that  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  reconcile  them.  The  Americans  exaggerate 
the  English  numbers  to  excuse  Harkheimer's  coming  short 
of  decided  success,  and  to  exalt  the  determination  of  the 
garrison.  How  many  the  latter  comprised  is  by  no  means 
certain.  Stedman  (4to,  I.,  334)  says  750  men,  but  Gen. 
Carrington,  U.  S.  A.,  one  of  the  most  careful  of  investiga- 
tors, uses  language  (323)  that  would  justify  the  belief  that 
it  consisted  of  950  men.  If  only  750  ' '  under  cover ' '  it  ought 
still  to  have  been  a  full  match  for  the  whole  heterogeneous 
corps  that  St.  Leger  brought  against  it.  The  "Burgoyne 
scare  "  was  upon  the  whole  country  and  the  garrison  of  Fort 
Stanwix  felt  the  effects  of  it. 

Prior  to  the  discovery  of  Johnson's  Orderly  Book,  it 
has  always  been  stated  that  St.  Leger  had  675  white 
troops  with  him :  the  Orderly  Book,  however,  distinctly 
shows  that  only  500  rations  were  issued.  This  demon- 
strates conclusively  that  the  white  troops,  at  most,  could 
not  have  exceeded  that  number.  The  Americans,  to  swell 
the  numbers  of  British  and  Loyal  Provincials  under  Col. 
Ferguson,  encountered  at  King's  Mountain,  7th  October, 
1780,  based  their  calculations  on  the  Ration  Returns 
found  in  the  captured  camp. 

The  same  rule  of  judgment  in  justice  should  apply  to  the 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  ci 

force  under  St.  Leger.  The  difference  between  400  and  675 
can  be  easily  accounted  for  in  various  ways,  even  if  exact 
proof  did  not  exist  to  establish  the  smaller  number.  Ex- 
perts, including  Napoleon,  consider  that  an  army  of  100,000 
on  paper  rarely  can  put  80,000  effectives  in  the  field.  In 
a  new  country  subject  to  local  fevers,  when  men  are 
called  upon  to  discharge  the  severest  labors  at  the  hottest 
period  of  the  year,  this  ratio  would,  most  likely,  be  greatly 
increased.  Consequently,  if  St.  Leger  had  675  at  Lachine, 
near  Montreal,  it  would  not  be  extraordinary  if  he  left  a 
number  of  invalids  behind,  besides  those,  especially  indivi- 
duals foreign  to  the  country  and  service,  who  dropped  out 
on  the  road.  There  is  no  mention  in  this  Orderly  Book 
of  a  list  of  sick  or  casualties,  and  yet  it  is  impossible  but 
that  there  must  have  been  both.  A  highly  educated 
pedant  argued  that  the  Romans  had  no  Medical  Depart- 
ment, because  Caesar  does  not  mention  one  in  his  Com- 
mentaries. His  reasonings  were  completely  demolished 
by  the  observation  that,  on  the  same  plea,  Caesar  had  no  dis- 
eases in  his  camp,  because  he  does  not  allude  to  them  in 
any  of  the  accounts  of  his  campaigns,  which  is  what  the 
scholars  call  an  argumentum  ad  absurdum. 

The  statement  attributed  to  St.  Leger,  that  he  had  675 
white  troops,  he  never  made.  It  is  a  deduction  of  their 
own  by  American  writers,  to  make  good  their  case.  Any 
reader  desirous  of  investigating  this  can  easily  refer  to  the 
reports  made  by  St.  Leger  to  Burgoyne  and  also  to  Carle- 
ton.  These  figures  are  not  in  either :  Where  then  are 
these  numbers  to  be  found  ?  In  a  letter  from  Lord 


cii  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

George  Germain  to  General  Carleton,  26th  March,  1777, 
he  says : 

"From  the  King's  knowledge  of  the  great  preparations  made 
by  you  last  year  to  secure  the  command  of  the  lakes,  and  your  atten- 
tion to  this  part  of-  the  service  during  the  winter,  his  Majesty  is  led 
to  expect  that  everything  will  be  ready  for  General  Burgoyne's  pass- 
ing the  lakes  by  the  time  you  and  he  shall  have  adjusted  the  plan  of 
the  expedition. 

'•  It  is  the  King's  further  pleasure  that  you  put  under  the  command 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  St.  Leger, 

"  Detachment  from  the  8th  Regiment,  .  .  .  100 
Detachment  from  the  34th  Regiment,  .  .  .  100 
Sir  John  Johnson's  Regiment  of  New  York,  133 

Hanau  Chasseurs, 342 

675 

"  Together  with  a  sufficient  number  of  Canadians  and  Indians ;  and 
after  having  furnished  him  with  proper  artillery,  stores,  provisions, 
and  every  other  necessary  article  for  his  expedition,  and  secured  to 
him  every  assistance  in  your  power  to  afford  and  procure,  you  are  to 
give  him  orders  to  proceed  forthwith  to  and  down  the  Mohawk  River 
to  Albany,  and  put  himself  under  the  command  of  Sir  William  Howe." 

Mark  this  :  not  Burgoyne,  but  Sir  William  Howe,  who 
was  expected  to  co-operate,  but  did  not,  partly  because 
through  the  indolence  of  his  superior,  Lord  St.  Germain, 
he  did  not  receive  his  orders  on  time. 

On  the  28th  February,  one  month  previous,  Burgoyne 
considers  that  even  a  smaller  force  than  the  675  assigned 
by  St.  Leger  would  be  sufficient.  He  only  mentions  233 
white  troops.  These  are  his  exact  words : 

"  Not,  to  argue  from  probability,  is  so  much  force  necessary  for 
this  diversion  this  year,  as  was  required  for  the  last;  because  we 
then  knew  that  General  Schuyler,  with  a  thousand  men,  was  fortified 
upon  the  Mohawk.  When  the  different  situations  of  things  are  con- 
sidered, viz.,  the  progress  of  General  Howe,  the  early  invasion  from 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  cm 

Canada,  the  threatening  of  the  Connecticut  from  Rhode  Island,  &c., 
it  is  not  to  be  imagined  that  any  detachment  of  such  force  as  that  of 
Schuyler  can  be  supplied  by  the  enemy  for  the  Mohawk.  I  would  not 
therefore  propose  it  of  more  (and  I  have  great  diffidence  whether  so 
much  can  be  prudently  afforded)  than  Sir  John  Johnson's  corps,  an 
hundred  British  from  the  Second  Brigade,  and  an  hundred  more  from 
the  8th  Regiment,  with  four  pieces  of  the  lightest  artillery,  and  a  body 
of  savages ;  Sir  John  Johnson  to  be  with  a  detachment  in  person,  and 
an  able  field  officer  to  command  it.  I  should  wish  Lieutenant-Colonel 
St.  Leger  for  that  employment." 

How  many  men,  then,  did  St.  Leger  have?  Stedman 
states  he  had  "  a  body  of  light  troops  and  Indians,  amount- 
ing to  between  700  and  800  men."  Carrington  calls  it  a 
"composite  army  of  regulars,  Hessian-chasseurs,  Royal- 
greens,  Canadians,  axemen,  and  non-combatants,  who,  as 
well  as  the  Indians,  proved  an  ultimate  incumbrance  and 
curse  to  the  expedition."  St.  Leger  did  not  have  342 
Hanau-chasseurs,  nor  anything  like  it.  This  is  now  known 
to  be  an  error  ;  he  had  only  one  company.  Why  ?  Be- 
cause only  one  company  had  arrived  when  he  started.  It 
was  commanded  by  a  1st  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Hilderbrand. 
There  could  be  no  mistake  here,  because  Germans  are  the 
most  methodical  people,  and  the  journals  of  many  of  their 
officers  exist,  which  were  written  with  no  idea  of  their  ever 
seeing  the  light  in  print,  with  no  intent  to  deceive  or  to 
influence  public  opinion.  What  is  more,  a  company  at 
that  time  ranged  from  50  to  80 ;  in  the  English  Guards, 
always  kept  full,  80  is  the  figure  (1788)  ;  50  to  120,  num- 
ber never  fixed  (James,  1810,  Hoyt,  1811).  Had  more 
than  a  company  been  sent,  a  higher  officer  than  a  1st 
Lieutenant  would  have  been  placed'  in  command.  Sir 


civ  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

John's  regiment,  or  battalion,  only  numbered  133.  The 
great  mistake  is  the  item  generally  quoted,  342,  which 
should  be  under  50.  If  people  would  read  carefully  they 
would  avoid  many  serious  errors  which  serve  to  feed  and 
stimulate  popular  vanity.  Col.  Glaus  corroborates  von 
Eelking.  "And  here  [at  Buck's  Island]  the  Brig'r  had  still 
an  opportunity  and  time  for  sending  for  a  better  train  of 
artillery,  and  wait  for  the  junction  of  the  [Hesse-Hanau] 
Chasseurs,  which  must  have  secured  us  success,  as  every  one 
will  allow."  Again  below  Glaus  expressly  mentions  "# 
COMPANY  of  Chasseurs  lately  arrived. "  Can  language  be 
clearer  and  more  unmistakable.  The  proper,  or  real, 
not  the  intended,  or  ideal,  enumeration  would  give  St. 
Leger  about  380  organized  troops,  besides  Rangers.  Here 
again  people  are  led  into  a  serious  error  because  they 
desire  so  to  be.  Butler,  and  other  officers  belonging  to 
the  Rangers,  did  not  have  regular  white  commands  at 
Oriskany,  but,  as  officers,  were  distributed  among  the 
Indians  to  steady  them.  This  was  according  to  French 
military  usage ;  officers,  in  France,  at  this  time,  were  often 
multiplied  in  certain  regiments  to  insure  solidity  by 
example  and  influence.  Such  a  course  was  much  more 
a  necessity  among  undisciplined  savages.  When  Butler 
got  back  to  Quebec  he  could  only  collect  or  muster  fifty  out 
of  all  he  had  had  or  had.  There  was,  it  is  true,  quite  a 
numerous  staff  of  Whites  serving  with  the  Indians.  The 
discovery  of  the  ' '  Orderly  Book  ' '  should  settle  the  mat- 
ter. The  number  of  rations  issued  would  not  have  been 
falsified.  This  establishes  the  fact  that  there  must  have 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  cv 

been  considerably  less  than  500  to  receive  them,  since, 
before  rations  were  commuted,  officers  were  entitled  to 
more  than  one,  especially  when  they  had  servants  to  feed, 
and  in  those  days  no  commissioned  officer  took  the  field 
without  one  or  more  servants.  Colonel  Clans,  Deputy, 
Acting  Superintendent  of  the  Indians,  is  very  explicit  in 
his  letter  to  Secretary  Knox.  He  blames  St.  Leger  for  mis- 
calculating the  force  and  efficiency  of  the  enemy  and  for 
not  taking  with  him  more  troops  and  more  powerful  artil- 
lery when  he  could  have  had  a  full  sufficiency  of  both.* 
Undoubtedly  there  were  detachments  from  the  8th 
(Major,  afterwards  Colonel,  A.  S.  de  Peyster's  Regiment) 
and  34th  (St.  Leger' s  own)  Regiments,  B.  A.  of  100  each  ; 
Sir  John  Johnson's  Royal-greens,  133;  and  a  company  of 
Chasseurs  or  Riflemen  lately  arrived  in  Canada,  from  Ger- 
many, which  exactly  tallies  with  von  Eelking's  published 


*  Col.  Claus,  in  his  letter  of  the  16th  October,  1777,  to  Secretary 
Knox,  shows  that  St.  Leger  himself  alone  was  to  blame  for  not  having 
a  sufficiency  of  artillery  of  the  proper  calibre  in  his  expedition  against 
Fort  Stanwix.  Col.  Claus  demonstrates  that  the  Americans  expected 
the  siege  which  followed,  and  prisoners  taken  agreed  in  their  story  re- 
vealing the  precautions  necessary  to  insure  success.  St.  Leger  con- 
cedes that  "  if  they  [Americans]  intended  to  defend  themselves  in  that 
fort  [Stanwix],  our  [British]  artillery  was  not  sufficient  to  take  it." 
"The  Brig'r."  (St.  Leger)  had  still  an  opportunity  and  time  of  sending 
for  a  better  train  of  artillerj',  and  wait  for  the  junction  of  the  Chas- 
seurs (German  Jaegers)  which  must  have  secured  us  success,  as  every 
one  will  allow."  Here  we  have  a  repetition  of  the  self-sufficiency  of 
Braddock  and  the  rejection  of  the  wise  counsels  of  Provincial  officers 
like  Washington,  in  this  case  represented  by  Sir  John  Johnson  and 
Col.  Daniel  Claus.  Oh  hackneyed  but  eternally  applicable  truism  of 
Euripides  :  "  But  the  d;emon  (directing  spirit),  when  he  devises  any 
mischief  against  a  man,  first  perverts  (or  stultifies)  his  friend." 


cvi  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

account.  These  are  all  the  white  troops  he  mentions. 
The  best  warriors  of  the  Six  Nations  were  with  Burgoyne.- 
The  sum  total  of  the  savages  with  St.  Leger,  according  to 
Col.  Daniel  Glaus,  their  Superintendant  in  the  absence  of 
Col.  Guy  Johnson,  was  800.  Among  these  were  150 
Mississaugues,  who  were  accepted  as  a  Seventh  by  the 
Six  Nations,  in  1746,  but  the  alliance  did  not  long  continue. 
In  1755  the  Iroquois  Confederation  found  their  Seventh 
member  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.  The  fact  is  there  never 
were  over  Five  Nations :  even  the  Sixth,  the  Tuscaroras, 
did  not  stand  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  original  Five  ; 
they  were  simply  tolerated.  The  Mississaugues  were 
afterwards  expelled  or  dropped  from  the  Confederation. 
They  were  a  miserable  set,  "drunk  and  riotous  from  the 
start,"  unreliable  throughout,  robbers  and  murderers  of 
the  associated  Whites  at  the  end.  They  came  from  the 
neighborhood  of  Lake  Nippissing,  to  the  northward  of 
Georgian  Bay.  Gordon  (American)  puts  St.  Leger' s  In- 
dians "at  700  warriors,  who,  with  their  wives,  children, 
other  men  and  women,  made  up  1400."  Deduct  the  non- 
combatants  and  Indians  effectives  and  this,  again,  demon- 
strates the  number  of  white  soldiers,  rank  and  file,  repre- 
sented by  500  rations,  less  than  400.  The  Americans 
estimated  the  King's  troops  at  King's  Mountain  at  1125, 
from  the  number  of  rations  issued  that  morning  according 
to  the  returns  captured ;  whereas,  it  is  well-known,  accord- 
ing to  the  Diary  of  Lieut.  Allaire,  recovered  within  two 
years,  that  Ferguson  had  only  906  or  907,  of  whom  over 
800  were  raw  militia. 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  cvii 

Why  St.  Leger  took  with  him  so  few  men  and  such 
inadequate  cannon  is  due  to  the  supercilious  disregard 
manifested  by  professional  British  officials  for  the  advice 
of  American  provincial  officers.  All  the  ability  he  did 
show  was  due  to  the  advice  of  Sir  John  Johnson  (Stone's 
"Brant,"  I.,  226).  Wherever  he  did  so,  he  was  successful, 
and  where  he  did  not,  he  failed.  Had  Braddock  followed  the 
councils  of  Colonel  Washington,  he  would  have  escaped 
the  catastrophe  in  which  he  fell,  in  July,  1755.  Had  St. 
Leger  listened  to  the  suggestions  of  Colonel  Glaus,*  he 
would  have  succeeded  in  August,  1777.  Could  Colonel 
(acting  Brigadier)  Fergusonf  have  divested  himself  of  his 


*  Col.  Daniel  Glaus,  writing  to  Secretary  Knox,  6th  November,  1777, 
shows  how  the  jealousies  affecting  the  supersedure  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton 
by  Burgoynewere  fatal  to  all  the  operations  of  this  campaign.  Col. 
Claus,  on  applying  to  Sir  Guy  for  orders,  was  told  he  had  none  to  give, 
and  that  he  (Claus)  might  do  as  he  pleased.  This  was  a  curious  re- 
mark for  a  chief  to  make  to  a  subordinate.  One  fact  of  interest  is  dis- 
closed by  this  letter,  viz.,  that  Sir  John  Johnson,  after  the  failure  at 
Fort  Stanwix,  was  to  proceed  to  join  Burgoyne.  Why  he  did  not  is 
explained  by  the  concluding  sentence  of  this  paragraph  of  the  commu- 
nication of  Col.  Claus:  "Such  friques  [freaks?]  and  jealousies  I  am 
afraid  have  been  rather  hurtful  to  our  Northern  operations  last  cam- 
paign." Verily  !  (Col.  Doc.,  VIII.,  725.) 

f  Johnson  and  Claus  told  St.  Leger  what  he  wanted  and  what  to  do, 
and  he  would  not  hearken,  and  did  not  succeed.  De  Peyster  advised  Fer- 
guson as  to  the  character  of  his  opponents,  and  he  was  not  listened  to. 
Americans  knew  Americans  better  than  Britishers.  The  result  was, 
St.  Leger  failed  and  Ferguson  fell,  and  with  the  failure  of  the  one  and 
the  fall  of  the  other,  it  was  not  the  interests  of  England  that  suffered 
only,  because  the  "  mother  country  "  came  out  of  the  war  richer,  greater 
and  mightier  than  ever,  but  the  Loyalists,  dupes  of  their  faith  in  the 
Home  Government,  her  ability  to  conquer,  and  her  determination  to 
preserve  the  rights  of  all,  to  punish  the  guilty  and  to  recompense  the 
faithful. 

15 


cviii  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

contempt  for  the  Mountain-men  he  would  not  have  sacri- 
ficed his  detachment  in  October,  1780.  Captain  (acting  Col- 
onel) de  Peyster,  an  American  Provincial,  his  second  in  com- 
mand, knew  the  value  of  the  exquisite  picked  sharpshooters 
who  were  about  to  assail  his  superior,  in  far  preponderating 
numbers.  He  indicated  the  course  which  would  have 
secured  immediate  relief  and  eventual  success.  Ferguson 
was  too  fearless  or  perhaps  reckless  to  listen  to  his  sub- 
ordinate and  the  result  was  a  defeat  from  which  the  Eng- 
lish never  recovered  at  the  South.  It  was  exactly  the 
same  with  the  French  regulars.  They  would  never  pay 
the  slightest  heed  to  the  warning  of  the  Canadian  provin- 
cial leaders,  experts  in  forest-craft  and  Indian  fighting, 
and  thus  the  Bourbons  lost  New  France.  Arrogance  in 
epaulets  will  never  listen  to  exoteric  experience.  Mem- 
bers of  a  caste  or  hierarchy  never  pay  due  attention  to 
the  sagacity  of  intuitive  external  practical  observation 
which  does  not  exhibit  the  tonsure  or  the  shoulder-strap. 
West  Point  and  the  regular  army  pooh !  pooh !  silently 
or  audibly,  everything  that  is  not  stamped  with  their 
cabalistic  emblems  or  has  not  joined  in  the  chorus  "Benny 
Havens,  Oh  !"  It  has  been  so  since  the  world  began,  and 
brave  men  will  be  massacred  through  ' '  red  tape ' '  until  the 
era  of  common-sense  arrives,  if  it  ever  does  come,  to  bless 
mortality — until  the  descent  of  the  New  Jerusalem. 

How  many  men  had  Harkheimer  ?  Estimates  vary  from 
800  to  1000.  There  were  four  regiments  of  militia,  some 
faithful  Oneidas,  numerous  volunteers  of  all  ranks,  a  bloom 
of  colonels  and  officials,  and  a  few  mounted  men.  By  how 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  cix 

many  was  Harkheimer  ambuscaded  at  first  ?  Not  near  as 
many  as  he  himself  had.  St.  Leger  says  that,  when  Sir 
John  was  allowed  to  plan  and  trap  the  Americans,  he  had 
not  200  of  the  King's  troops  in  camp,  and  he  could  only 
spare  to  the  Baronet  80  white  men,  Rangers  and  Troops, 
Sir  John's  Light  Company,  the  Hanau  Riflemen,  and  But- 
ler with  a  few  Officers  and  Rangers  and  the  whole  corps  of 
the  Indians.  Here  again  is  incontrovertible  circumstantial 
proof  that  St.  Leger's  white  troops,  present  and  detached, 
assembled  and  scattered  between  his  camp  and  his  depot, 
or  base,  at  Fort  Bull  on  Wood  Creek,  did  not  exceed  from 
350  to  400  men.  After  the  Indians  had  flunked  and  be- 
haved so  badly  the  remainder  of  the  "Royal  Greens  n  were 
quickstepped  into  the  fight,  which  would  not  have  added. 
100  to  the  force  besetting  Harkheimer.  Consequently  the 
latter  could  not  have  been  engaged  at  any  time  with  as 
many  as  200  whites.* 


*  Mr.  Stone  (pages  e  and/)  emphasizes  the  fact  that  Stephen  Watts 
is  only  mentioned  as  Captain  in  the  "  Orderly  Book,"  whereas  he  was 
generally  known  as  Major.  If  he  had  turned  to  his  own  note  on  the  sub- 
ject of  English  rank,  the  discrepancy  would  at  once  be  explained.  It  is 
very  unlikely  that  a  man's  brother,  at  a  period  when  the  lines  of  titular 
distinction  were  firmly  drawn  and  closely  observed,  would  not  have 
known  the  rank  borne  by  a  brother  of  whom  he  was  proud,  or  the  name 
of  the  corps  to  which  he  belonged.  Stephen  Watts,  of  Oriskany,  was  a 
great  favorite  in  his  family,  and  designated  by  the  most  affectionate 
epithets.  What  is  more,  there  were  a  variety  of  titles  of  rank  in  the 
British  Army  at  that  time,  two  or  more  of  which  were  often  borne  by 
the  same  individual.  A  man  might  be  a  "line"  Captain,  very  likely 
"brevet"  Major  or  Lieutenant-Colonel,  a  "local,"  "temporary"  or 
"provincial"  Colonel  or  Brigadier,  and  a  militia  Major-General.  In 
some  cases  he  did  not  receive  an  actual  commission,  but  was  delegated 
in  writing  to  act  as  such  or  thus.  Sir  John  Johnson,  Bart,  held  com- 


ex  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

'As  to  how  .many  the  Americans  lost  is  another  disputed 
point.  St.  Leger  says  in  his  different  reports  that  not  over 
200  (out  of  800  or  900)  escaped.  The  smallest  list  of  their 
casualties  comprises  160  killed  and  about  200  wounded 
and  prisoners. 

In  some  respects,  Gordon,  take  him  all  in  all,  is  the 
best  authority  for  the  American  Revolution  when  in  ac- 


missions  as  Major-General  of  Militia,  as  Brigadier-General  of  the  Pro- 
vincial troops  (21st  October,  1782),  and  the  date  of  his  commission  as 
"  Superintendent-General  and  Inspector-General  of  the  Six  Nations 
of  Indians  and  their  Confederates  of  all  the  Indian  nations  inhabiting 
Our  Province  of  Quebec  and  the  Frontiers,"  is  of  March  14th,  1782. 
In  1777,  as  Lieutenant-Colonel,  he  was  commanding  his  regiment. 

Here  again  Mr.  Stone  is  emphatic.  "  He  says  that  this  regiment 
is  nowhere  mentioned  as  the  "  Koyal  Greens."  They  must  have  been 
.  known  as  such  or  else  they  would  not  have  been  thus  designated  in 
the  histories  written  Highest  to  their  period.  Any  discrepancy  here 
again  is  susceptible  of  lucid  solution.  At  first  it  was  determined  to 
uniform  the  Provincial  corps  in  green,  and  some  were  originally 
clothed  in  this  color,  but  had  it  changed ;  others,  exceptions  to  the  rule, 
retained  it  to  the  end  of  the  war.  Doubtless  for  valid  reasons,  not  now 
known,  it  was  found  more  advantageous  or  economical  to  issue  to  the 
Provincials  clothes  of  the  sam,e  color  as  those  worn  by  the  Regulars, 
but  with  distinctive  facings.  The  same  process  is  now  going  on 
throughout  the  whole  British  Army,  and  evoking  a  perfect  wail  of 
indignation  and  grief  from  corps  which  had  won  renown  in  dresses 
and  facings  of  exceptional  color  and  cut. 

"We"  [English],  observes  the  author  of  "'International  Vanities" 
(No.  III.,  Titles),  in  BlackwoocTs  Magazine,  "  have  carried  this  adoring 
love  of  variety  of  names  and  titles  even  into  our  army,  where  we  have 
created  five  kinds  of  rank  altogether  irrespective  of  military  grades  pro- 
perly so  called  ;  our  army  rank  may  be  [1]  Regimental  (substantive), 
[2]  Brevet,  [3]  Local,  [4]  Temporary,  or  [5]  Honorary,  and  we  might 
almost  add  [6]  "Relative"  to  this  absurd  list,  which  no  other  nation 
can  understand.  In  our  navy,  at  all  events,  rank  is  rank  ;  there  our 
officers  are  in  reality  what  they  say  they  are." — LitteWs  Living  Age, 
No.  1556,  4th  April,  1874,  p.  14.) 


The  Battle  of  Oriskany.  cxi 

cord  with  Stedman ;  but  unquestionably  Mercy  Warren— 
daughter  of  James  Otis — political  dissertationist,  poetess 
and  historian,  who  wrote  in  the  light  and  memories 
of  contemporaries,  presents  facts  not  to  be  found  elsewhere : 
Paul  Allen's  "American  Revolution"  is  the  most  philosophi- 
cal work  on  this  subject.  Here  let  it  be  remarked,  that 
Mrs.  Warren  says:  "Their  danger" — that  is  the  peril 
of  the  garrison  of  Fort  Stanwix — "was  greatly  enhanced  by 
the  misfortune  of  General  Harkheimer,  who  had  marched 
for  the  relief  of  Fort  Stanwix,  but  with  too  little  precau- 
tion. At  the  head  of  eight  or  nine  hundred  militia,  he 
fell  into  an  ambuscade  consisting  mostly  of  Indians,  and 
.  notwithstanding  a  manly  defence,  few  of  them  escaped. 
They  were  surrounded,  routed,  and  butchered,  in  all  the 
barbarous  shapes  of  savage  brutality,  after  many  of  them 
had  become  their  prisoners,  and  their  scalps  carried  to 
their  British  allies,  to  receive  the  stipulated  price." 

The  Americans  claimed  a  victory  because  the  survivors 
were  allowed  to  retire  unmolested.  This  was  due  to  the 
fact  that  the  Indians  had  long  since  "voted  themselves  out 
of  the  fight,"  and  because  the  white  troops,  misled  by  the 
false  reports  of  "a  cowardly  Indian,"  were  recalled  to  the 
defense  of  their  camp.  There  is  no  intention  in  this  little 
work  to  detract  from  the  glory  of  Harkheimer  or  of  his 
Mohawk  men;  but  the  best  regular  troops  have  fallen 
victims  to  ambuscades  from  the  time  of  Caesar,  and,  doubt- 
less, long  before,  judging  from  analogy,  clown  to  the  pre- 
sent day.  "Eternal  fitness  of  things  "  is  the  pertinent  phi- 
losophical sneer  of  Sardou.  Harkheimer  against  his  better 


cxii  The  Battle  of  Oriskany. 

judgment  was  plunged  into  a  deadly  trap  and  he  suffered 
awfully,  as  is  the  universal  result  under  such  circumstances. 

Personal  enemies,  with  the  presumption  of  ignorance 
and  the  bitterness  of  spite,  have  presumed  to  insinuate 
that  Sir  John  was  wanting  in  courage.  Want  of  physical 
bravery  in  a  trained  officer  or  soldier  is  extremely  rare. 
Moral  cowardice  has  very  few  and  God-like  exceptions. 
As  one  among  numerous  proofs  that  Sir  John  was  deficient 
in  neither  quality,  physical  or  moral,  it  is  admitted  by 
friend  and  foe  that  "  Sir  John  Johnson  proposed  to  follow 
the  blow  given  to  the  reinforcement  (who  were  chiefly 
Mohawk  river  people)  to  march  down  the  country  with 
about  200  men,  and  I  intended  joining  him  with  a  suf- 
ficient body  of  Indians ;  but  the  Brigadier  (St.  Leger)  said 
he  could  not  spare  the  men,  and  disapproved  of  it."  It 
was  an  admitted  fact,  however  positively  it  may  be  denied 
now,  at  this  day,  that  the  population  of  this  district  were 
stunned  by  the  catastrophe  at  Oriskany.  Is  it  any  won- 
der ?  There  was  the  ' '  Mourning  of  Egypt ' '  throughout  the 
Mohawk  valley.  Scarcely  a  house  but  wept  its  dead  or 
missing.  It  was  not  until  the  flaming  sword  of  Arnold  and 
the  flashing  bayonets  of  his  2000  regulars,  volunteers  and 
militia  showed  themselves  that  resolution  lifted  its  head 
and  hearts  once  more  pulsated  with  the  throbbing  of  hope. 

"False  as  a  bulletin,"  has  passed  into  a  proverb. 
Justice  would  seem  to  require  that,  since  bulletins  or  re- 
ports are  with  few  exceptions  "special  pleas,"  the  state- 
ments of  both  parties  concerned  should  be  compared  in 
the  light  of  common-sense,  and  the  verdict  given  accord- 


The  Battle*  of  Oriskany.  cxiii 

ing  to  manifest  probabilities.  It  is  the  popular  notion 
that  "Willett's  sortie*  was  a  magnificent  feat  of  arms.  Why 
was  it  ?  If  he  found  no  difficulty  in  spoiling  the  British 
camp  at  his  leisure  without  experiencing  any  loss  either 
in  his  sortie  or  return  to  the  fort — during  which  time  his 
wagons  drove  out,  looted  and  carried  back  into  the  fort 
twenty-one  loads  of  spoil ;  if,  again,  the  garrison  derided 
the  besiegers,  why  did  Colonel  "Willett  and  Lieutenant 
Stockwell  volunteer,  leave  the  fort  to  seek  assistance  from 
Schuyler,  more  than  a  hundred  miles  away,  against  a  foe 
who,  according  to  American  accounts,  had  shown  so  little 
vigor  during  the  sortie  and  had  effected  so  little  subse- 
quently? Such  facts  are  hard  to  reconcile.  Within  the 
fort  were  750  (to  950  ?)  white  men,  Americans,  who  must 
be  considered  as  good,  man  for  man,  as  the  four  to  five 
hundred  Englishmen  and  Americans  opposing  them ;  and 
no  one  will  pretend  that  an  armed  white  man  behind 


*  That  Willett's  sortie  was  entirely  destitute  of  peril  and,  through- 
out, uninterrupted,  is  clearly  shown  by  the  thoroughness  with  which 
he  ransacked  the  Provincial  and  Indian  camps,  and  the  complete  lei- 
sure that  was  afforded  for  "  looting  "  them,  with  only  a  remote  chance 
of  reprisals  by  the  absent  enemy.  All  told,  St.  Leger  had  only  (?)  four 
hundred  and  ten  Whites.  At  first  he  sent  out  eighty  of  these,  and> 
perhaps,  subsequently,  one  hundred  went  to  the  assistance  of  Sir 
John,  hurried  to  the  scene  of  action  by  the  report  of  a  cowardly  Indian. 
This  would  leave  St.  Leger  at  most  two  hundred  and  twenty-seven. 
Deduct  the  men  necessarily  on  detached  duty,  and  any  one  who  is 
willing  to  judge  fairly  will  believe  the  British  commander,  that  he 
had  only  two  hundred  Whites  and  no  savages  with  him  when  Willett 
made  the  sortie  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  whites,  for  the  savages  had 
all  gone  to  Oriskany  with  Brant  and  Sir  John  Johnson.  The  wounded 
men  captured  had  been  brought  back  from  the  field  of  fighting  during 
the  earlier  stages  of  the  battle. 


cxiv  The  Battle  of*  Oriskany. 

works  is  not  worth  ten  times  as  many  savages,  especially- 
demoralized  Indians.  Again,  take  the  plan  of  the  siege, 
all  the  works  and  posts  held  by  St.  Leger's  whites  were  on 
the  west  of  the  Mohawk.  At  all  events  four  to  five  hundred 
men  could  not  effect  a  perfect  investment  of  the  fort.  For 
this  St.  Leger  had  to  depend  in  a  great  measure  upon  his  In- 
dians, and  nothing  shows  the  untrustworthiness  of  Indians, 
either  as  fighters  or  scouts,  than  that  "Willett  and  Stockwell 
could  creep  out  without  being  observed  and  get  off  without 
being  molested.  The  American  story  does  not  hang  well 
together.  Common-sense  must  endorse  St.  Leger's  report, 
ignoring  its  magniloquence,  which  is  of  no  consequence.  St. 
Leger  took  little  account  of  the  troops  to  whom  he  was  imme- 
diately opposed ;  but  he  was  afraid  of  his  demoralized  savage 
contingent,  whose  insubordination  had  ruined  his  ambuscade 
at  Oriskany — whose  anxiety  for  fighting,  but  not  their  thirst 
for  blood,  had  been  allayed  in  the  fight  with  Harkheimer ; 
and  thus  when  a  force  of  whites,  at  least  quadruple  his  own 
men  of  Saxon  blood,  were  advancing  under  the  best  Ameri- 
can executive,  Arnold,  to  co-operate  with  the  garrison, 
really  much  superior  to  the  besiegers  of  the  same  race,  St. 
Leger  found  himself  with  less  than  three  hundred  and 
fifty  valid  soldiers  opposed  to  at  least  two  thousand,  with 
his  worst  and  most  dangerous  enemy  in  his  own  camp, 
the  barbarians  who  had  proved  almost  worthless  as  fight- 
ing factors. 


AND 


SORTIE  FROM  FORT  STANWIX. 


Old  Seventeen  Hundred  and  Seventy-seven, 

Of  Liberty's  throes,  was  the  crown  and  the  leaven. 

Just  a  century  since,  August  Sixth,  was  the  day 

When  Great  Britain's  control  was  first  stricken  away. 

Let  us  sing  then  the  field  where  the  Yeomen  of  York 

Met  the  Lion  and  Wolf  on  their  slaughterous  stalk  ; 

When  Oriskany's  ripples  were  crimson'd  with  blood  ; 

And  when  strife  fratricidal  polluted  its  flood. 

Oh,  glorious  collision,  forever  renowned  ! 

While  America  lives  should  its  praises  resound, 

And  stout  Harkheimer's  name  be  the  theme  of  the  song, 

Who  with  Mohawk's  brave  sons  broke  the  strength  of  the  strong 

To  relief  of  Fort  Stanwix  the  Yorkers  drew  nigh, 

To  succor  stout  Gansevoort,  conquer  or  die  ; 

And  if  unwise  the  counsels  that  brought  on  the  fight, 

In  the  battle  was  shown  that  their  hearts  were  all  right. 

If  their  Chief  seemed  so  prudent  that  "  subs"  looked  askance, 

Still  one  shout  proved  their  feeling,  their  courage — "Advance." 

Most  unfortunate  counsel !     The  ambush  was  set, 
Leaving  one  passage  /'«,  but  none  out  of  the  net, — 
Of  outlets  not  one,  unless  'twas  made  by  the  sword 
Through  encompassing  ranks  of  the  pitiless  horde. 
Sure  never  was  column  so  terribly  caught, 
Nor  ever  has  column  more  fearlessly  fought : — 
Thus  Harkheimer's  Mohawkers  made  victory  theirs, 
For  St.  Leger  was  foiled  in  spite  of  his  snares. 

16 — cxv 


cxvi  The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany. 

The  loud  braggarts  who  'd  taunted  Harkheimer  so  free, 
Ere  the  fight  had  begun,  were  from  fight  first  to  flee  ; 
While  the  stalwart  old  Chief,  who  a  father  had  proved, 
And  his  life  offer'd  up  for  the  cause  that  he  loved, 
'Mid  the  war-whirl  of  Death  still  directed  each  move, 
'Mid  the  rain  from  the  clouds  and  from  more  fatal  groove 
Of  the  deadlier  rifle, — and  object  assured, 
To  him  Palm,  both  as  victor  and  martyr,  inured. 

Search  the  annals  of  War  and  examine  with  care 
If  a  parallel  fight  can  discovered  be,  there, 
When  nine  hundred  green  soldiers  beset  in  a  wood 
Their  assailants,  as  numerous,  boldly  withstood  ; 
And  while  Death  sleeted  in  from  environing  screens 
Of  the  forest  and  underbrush,  Indians  and  "Greens" — 
'Gainst  the  circle  without,  took  to  cover  within, 
Formed  a  circle  as  deadly — which  as  it  grqw  thin 
Into  still  smaller  circles  then  broke,  until  each 
Presented  a  round  that  no  foeman  could  breach, 
Neither  boldest  of  savage  nor  disciplined  troops  :  — 
Thus  they  fought  and  they  fell  in  heroical  groups — 
But  though  falling  still  fighting  they  wrench'd  from  the  foe 
The  great  object  they  marched  to  attain,  and  altho' 
The  whole  vale  of  the  Mohawk  was  shrouded  in  woe, 
Fort  Stanwix  was  saved  by  Oriskany's  throe. 

No  New  Birth,  no  advance  in  the  Progress  of  Man, 

Has  occurred  since  the  tale  of  his  sufferings  began. 

Without  anguish  unspeakable,  deluge  of  blood. 

The  Past's  buried  deep  'neath  th'  incarnadine  flood. 

So,  when,  at  Oriskany,  slaughter  had  done 

Its  fell  work  with  the  tomahawk,  hunting  knife,  gun  ; 

From  the  earth  soak'd  with  blood,  and  the  whirlwind  of  fire 

Rose  the  living's  reward  and  the  fallen's  desire, 

Independence  ! 

For  there,  on  Oriskany's  shore, 
Was  wrought  out  the  death-wrestle  deciding  the  war ! 

If  our  country  is  free  and  its  flag,  first  displayed 

On  the  ramparts  of  Stanwix,  in  glory's  arrayed  ; 

If  the  old  "  Thirteen  Colonies"  won  the  renown 

"Sz'c  semper  tyrannis ; — beat  Tyranny  down  ; 

There,  there,  at  Oriskany,  the  wedge  first  was  driv'n, 

By  which  British  Invasion  was  splinter'd  and  riv'n  : 

Though  't  Hoosic  and  "  Sar'tog"  the  work  was  completed. 

The  end  was  made  clear  with  St.  Leger  defeated ; 

Nor  can  boast  be  disproved,  on  Oriskany's  shore 

Was  worked  out  the  grim  problem  involv'd  in  the  war. 

A  Poem,  by  Gen.  J.  WATTS  DE  PEYSTER,  read  at  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  the 
Battle  of  Oriskany,  6th  August,  1877.  Originally  published  in  the  "  Centennial  Celebra- 
tions of  the  State  of  New  York."  Albany,  1879. 


The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany.  cxvii 

Burgoyne  commenced  his  march  on  the  30th  of  June, 
ascended  Champlain  ;  bridged,  corduroyed  and  cleared 
twenty-one  miles  between  this  Lake  and  the  Hudson,  and 
watered  his  horses  in  this  river  on  the  28th  of  July.  From 
Montreal,  St.  Leger  ascended  the  St.  Lawrence,  crossed 
Lake  Ontario  to  Fort  Oswego,  moved  up  the  Onondaga 
River  eastward,  traversed  Oneida  Lake,  and  thence  pro- 
ceeded up,  and  ua  cheval,"  Wood  Creek,  its  feeder.  Six- 
ty picked  marksmen,  under  Major  Stephen  Watts  (of  New 
York  city)  an  officer  of  Sir  Johnson's  Battalion  of  Refugees 
from  the  Mohawk,  known  as  the  ' '  Royal  Greens, ' '  pre- 
ceded his  march  and  effectively  cleared  the  way.  About 
this  date,  St.  Leger' s  advance  appeared  before  Fort  Stan- 
wix — the  site  of  the  present  Rome — on  the  "great  port- 
age "  between  the  headwaters  of  the  Mohawk  and  the 
feeders  of  the  streams  which  unite  with  the  ocean  through 
the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  St.  Leger  was  to  sweep  in  and 
gather  supplies  for  Burgoyne  as  well  as  to  operate  mili- 
tarily against  Gansevoort,  in  Fort  Stanwix. 

About  the  same  time  the  necessary  repairs  of  this  Fort 
were  completed,  its  magazines  filled,  its  garrison  aug- 
mented under  Colonel  Gansevoort  and  Lieutenant-Colonels 
Marinus  Willett  and  Mellon,  and  simultaneously  the  invest- 
ment was  initiated  by  the  advance  guard  of  the  British, 
under  Lieutenant  Bird,  8th  (King's  Regiment  of)  Foot,  a 
famous  organization,  dating  back  to  1685. 

On  the  3d  August,  1777,  St.  Leger  arrived  before  Fort 
Stanwix  and  the  siege  began. 

Amid  the  mistakes  and  blunders  of  this  campaign,  the 


cxviii  The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriaka/ny. 

greatest  was  sending  ' '  Local ' '  Brigadier-General  [Lt. 
Col.]  St.  Leger  with  only  400  to  410  whites  (Indians  counted 
as  nothing  in  such  an  undertaking)  to  besiege  a  regular  work, 
held  by  750  (or  950  ?)  comparatively  good  troops.  Besides 
this,  St.  Leger  had  only  a  few  light  pieces,  barely  sufficient 
to  harass  and  inefficient  to  breach  or  destroy.  The  carriages 
of  his  two  six-pounders  were  rotten,  and  had  to  be  replaced 
when  actually  in  battery.  Still  the  "  Burgoyne  scare  "  was 
upon  the  colony,  and  nothing  had  been  done  as  yet  to  dissi- 
pate it,  to  restore  confidence,  or  to  demonstrate  how  base- 
less was  the  terror.  ["  The  Albanians  were  seized  with 
a  panic,  the  people  ran  about  as  if  distracted,  and  sent  off 
their  goods  and  furniture."] 

Seeing  the  importance  of  relieving  Fort  Stanwix,  Nicho- 
las Harkheimer,*  Major-General  New  York  State  Militia,  a 
brave  man  although  not  much  of  a  soldier,  summoned  the 
males  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  capable  of  bearing  arms,  to 
meet  on  the  German  Flats  at  Fort  Dayton,  now  bearing 
his  name.  He  cast  his  lot  in  with  the  revolted  colony,  al- 
though his  own  brother  was  a  Local  Colonel  in  the  British 
service,  and  many  other  relations  and  connections  as  well 
as  friends  were  in  the  opposite  camp.  The  Militia  of  the 
Mohawk  rendezvoused  at  Fort  Dayton  on  the  very  day  (3d 
August)  that  St.  Leger  actually  began  the  siege  of  Fort 
Stanwix.  The  evening  of  the  5th,  Harkheimer  was  at 


*  Herckheimer  or  Herkimer,  originally  Ergemon  or  Ergemar, 
according  to  "  Osgood's  Middle  States,"  p.  165,  which  is  most  likely  to 
have  been  the  original  name.  Still,  loth  June,  1764,  he  signed  Nicolas 
Herckmer  to  an  official  paper. 


The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany.  cxix 

"  The  Mills"  at  the  mouth  of  Oriskany  Creek,  some  seven  to 
nine  miles  from  Fort  Stanwix,  and  in  communication  with 
the  garrison,  which  was  to  make  a  sortie  in  combination 
with  his  attack.  It  is  certain  that  Harkheimer  had  Indians 
with  him  belonging  to  the  "  Oneida  House, "  or  tribe  of  the 
"  Six  Nations,"  but  how  many  is  nowhere  stated.  They 
were  of  little  account.  One  of  them,  however,  gave  the 
militia  the  best  kind  of  advice,  but  as  usual  was  not  lis- 
tened to.  This  tribe,  or  a  large  portion  of  it,  had  been  de- 
tached from  the  British  interest  by  agents  of  the  Albany 
Committee.  Their  decision  resulted  unfortunately  for 
them ;  while  they  accomplished  little  for  the  Americans, 
they  brought  ruin  upon  themselves  by  their  defection  from 
the  ties  of  centuries.  After  the  impending  battle,  the 
other  Five  Nations  swooped  down  upon  them  and  nearly 
destroyed  them. 

Harkheimer  moved  on  the  morning  of  the  6th  August, 
and  immediately  fell  into  an  altercation  with  his  four  Colo- 
nels and  other  subordinates,  and  the  Tryon  County  Com- 
mittee-men. He  wanted  to  display  some  soldierly  caution 
and  send  out  scouts  to  reconnoitre  and  throw  out  flankers 
to  protect,  and  thus  feel,  as  it  were,  his  way  through  the 
woods.  For  this  his  officers,  with  the  effrontery  of  igno- 
rance and  the  audacity  of  militiamen,  styled  him  a  "Tory," 
or  "a  Traitor  "  and  a  " Coward,"  just  as  the  same  terms 
of  reproach,  with  as  little  justice,  were  applied  to  Sir  John 
Johnson.  Abuse  is  the  weapon  of  little  minds,  and  sneers 
of  those  deficient  in  the  very  qualities  which  they  deny  to 
others  they  dislike.  "Who  can  defend  himself  against 


cxx  The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany. 

a  sneer?"  The  bickering  lasted  for  hours,  until  Hark- 
heimer,  worn  out  with  the  persistency  of  the  babblers, 
gave  the  order  to  ' '  March  on. ' '  His  Oneida  Indians  should 
have  been  most  useful  at  this  conjuncture.  But  these  traitors 
to  a  confederacy  "  of  ages  of  glory,"  dreading  to  meet  as 
foes  those  whom  they  had  deserted  as  friends,  clung  close  to 
the  main  body,  and  forgot  their  usual  cunning  and  wood- 
craft. 

Meanwhile  Gen.  St.  Leger  was  well  aware  that  Hark- 
heimer  was  on  the  way  to  the  assistance  of  Col.  Ganse- 
voort  in  Fort  Stanwix,  and  listened  to  the  councils  of  his 
second  in  command,  Sir  John  Johnson,  and  adopted  his 
plan  to  set  a  trap  for  the  approaching  column.  According- 
ly St.  Leger  detached  Sir  John  with  a  company  of  Jaegers, 
or  Hesse-Hanau  Riflemen,  Sir  John's  own  Light  Infantry 
Company,  and  some  Provincials  or  Rangers  with  Butler, 
the  total  only  eighty  whites,  if  St.  Leger' s  Reports  are 
trustworthy,  and  Brant  (Thayendanega)  and  his  Indians. 
Sir  John  established  an  ambush  about  two  miles  west  of 
Oriskany.  Just  such  an  ambuscade  under  the  partisans, 
de  Beaugeu  and  Langlade,  absolutely  annihilated  Brad- 
dock  in  1755  ;  just  such,  again,  under  the  same  Langlade — 
had  he  been  listened  to  by  Regular  Superiors — would  have 
ruined  Pitt's  grand  conceptions  for  the  conquest  of  the 
Canadas  by  destroying  the  forces  under  Wolfe  on  the  Mont- 
morency,  below  Quebec,  31st  July,  1759. 

Harkheimer  had  to  cross  a  deep,  crooked,  S-shaped 
ravine,  with  a  marshy  bottom  and  dribble,  spanned  by  a 
causeway  and  bridge  of  logs.  Sir  John  completely  en- 


The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany.  cxxi 

veloped  this  spot  with  marksmen,  leaving  an  INLET  for 
the  entrance  of  the  Americans,  but  no  OUTLET  for  their 
escape.  Moreover  he  placed  his  best  troops — whites — 
on  the  road  westward  where  real  fighting,  if  any  occurred, 
had  to  be  done,  and  to  bar  all  access  to  the  fort. 

No  plans  were  ever  more  judicious,  either  for  a  battue 
of  game  or  an  ambuscade  for  troops.  Harkheimer's  col- 
umn, without  scouts,  eclaireurs  or  flankers,  plunged  into 
the  ravine  and  had  partly  climbed  the  opposite  crest  and 
attained  the  plateau,  when,  with  his  wagon  train  huddled 
together  in  the  bottom,  the  surrounding  forest  and  dense 
underwood  was  alive  with  enemies  and  alight  with  the 
blaze  of  muskets  and  rifles,  succeeded  by  yells  and  war 
whoops,  just  as  the  shattering  lightning  and  the  terrifying 
thunder  are  almost  simultaneous. 

Fortunately  for  the  Americans,  the  Indians  anticipated 
the  signal  to  close  in  upon  them.  The  savages — violating 
their  promises  to  restrain  their  passions,  and  disregarding 
the  very  plan  they  had  agreed  to,  and  which  would  have 
filled  full  their  thirst  for  slaughter — showed  themselves  a 
few  moments  too  soon,  so  that  Harkheimer's  rear-guard 
was  shut  out  of  the  trap  instead  of  in,  and  thus  had  a  chance 
to  fly.  They  ran,  but  in  many  cases  they  were  outrun  by 
the  Indians,  and  suffered  almost  as  severely  as  their  com- 
rades whom  they  had  abandoned.  Then  a  butchery  en- 
sued such  as  had  never  occurred  on  this  continent,  and  if 
the  entrapped  Americans  engaged  had  not  shown  the  cour- 
age of  desperation  they  would  all  have  been  sacrificed.  But 
Heaven  interposed  at  the  crisis,  and  sent  down  a  deluging 


cxxii  The  Ambuscade  on  the  OrisJcany. 

shower  which  stopped  the  slaughter,  since,  in  that  day  of 
flint-locks,  firing  amid  torrents  of  rain  was  an  impossibil- 
ity. Such  "  a  shower  of  blessing  "  saved  the  English  at 
Montmorenciinl759,  Washington  after  Brandy  wine  (Gor- 
don ii.,  575)  in  1778,  and  perhaps  preserved  the  city  of 
Washington  by  terminating  the  fight  at  Chantilly  in  1862. 
A  similar  downpour  on  the  17th  June,  1815,  certainly  had 
a  considerable  influence  on  the  Waterloo  campaign.  Ex- 
amples may  be  added  ad  nauseam.  This  gave  the  Ameri- 
cans time  to  recover  their  breath  and  senses.  Harkheiiner, 
very  early  in  the  action,  was  desperately  wounded  in  the  leg 
by  a  shot  which  killed  his  horse.  He  caused  his  saddle  to 
be  placed  at  the  foot  of  a  beech  tree,  and,  sitting  upon  it 
and  propped  against  the  trunk,  he  lit  his  pipe,  and,  while 
quietly  smoking,  continued  to  give  orders  and  make  dispo- 
sitions \vhich  saved  all  who  did  escape.  His  orders  on  this 
occasion  were  perhaps  the  germ  of  the  best  subsequent 
rifle  tactics.  He  behaved  like  a  hero,  and  perished  a  mar- 
tyr to  his  ideas  of  Liberty,  dying  in  his  own  home  at  "  Dan- 
ube," two  miles  below  Little  Falls  ("Little  Portage"), 
ten  days  after  the  engagement,  in  consequence  of  a  bun- 
gling amputation  and  subsequent  ignorant  treatment.  The 
monument  he  so  richly  deserved,  which  was  voted  both  by 
Congress  and  his  State,  to  the  eternal  disgrace  of  both,  has 
never  been  erected,  and  this  grand  representative  yeoman 
New  Yorker  has  no  public  memorial  of  his  qualities  and 
services. 

When  the  shower  was  about  over,  Sir  John  Johnson, 
seeing  that  the  Indians  were  yielding,  sent  (?)  back  to  camp . 


The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany.  cxxiii 

for  a  reinforcement  of  his  "  Royal  Greens,"  under  his  bro- 
ther-in-law, Maj.  Stephen  Watts,  or  else  they  were  sent 
them  to  end  the  matter  more  speedily.  These,  although 
they  disguised  themselves  like  Mohawk  Valley  Militia, 
were  recognized  by  the  Americans  as  brothers,  relatives, 
connections  or  neighbors  whom  Harkheimer's  followers 
had  assisted  in  driving  into  exile  and  poverty.  These  Loy- 
alists were  presumably  coming  back  to  regain  what  they  had 
lost  and  to  punish  if  victorious.  At  once  to  the  fury  of 
battle  was  added  the  bitterness  of  mutual  hate,  spite  and 
vengeance.  If  the  previous  fighting  had  been  murderous, 
the  subsequent  was  horrible.  Firearms,  as  a  rule,  were 
thrown  aside,  the  two  forces  mingled,  they  grasped  each 
other  by  the  clothes,  beards  and  hair,  slashed  and  stabbed 
with  their  hunting  knives,  thrust  with  "  spears"*  and  bayo- 


*  There  is  a  great  deal  of  talk  about  fighting  with  "  spears  "  in  this 
battle.  "  Captain  Gardenier  slew  three  with  his  spear,  one  after  the 
other."  Colonel  Willett  and  Lieutenant  Stockwell,  "  each  armed  with 
a  spear,"  crept  out  of  the  fort  to  seek  relief,  &c.  That  the  Indians 
used  spears  is  very  likely,  because  a  weapon  of  this  sort  is  primitive 
and  in  ordinary  use  among  savages.  Storming  parties,  or  troops  des- 
tined to  assault  a  breach,  it  is  true,  were  furnished  with  something 
resembling  "boarding  pikes,"  peculiar  to  the  Navy.  That  the  English 
and  American  troops  or  Militia  employed  such  a  weapon  is  ridiculous. 
These"  spears"  were  Espontons,  which  were  the  badges  of  military 
rank.  "To  trail  a  half  pike"  was  a  term  once  recognised  as  equiva- 
lent to  holding  a  commission.  As  late  as  1811  "  the  Militia  Law 
of  the  United  States  required  that  the  commissioned  officers  shall 
severally  be  armed  with  a  sword  or  hanger  and  esponton."  The 
latter  was  a  short  pike,  about  eight  feet  in  length.  Colonels  carried 
them,  just  as  in  the  previous  century  sergeants  bore  halberts.  "To 
bring  a  man  to  the  halberts"  expressed  the  idea  of  the  infliction 
of  corporal  punishment.  This  explains  how  Colonel  Willett  and 
Captain  Gardenier  and  Lieutenant  Stockwell  came  to  be  furnished, 

17 


cxxiv  The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany. 

nets,  and  were  found  in  pairs  locked  in  the  embrace  of 
hatred  and  death. 

There  is  now  no  longer  the  slightest  doubt  that  Sir  John 
Johnson  commanded  the  British  Loyalists  and  Indians  at 
Oriskany.  Only  one  original  writer  ever  questioned  the 
fact,  whereas  all  other  historians  agree  in  establishing  it. 
The  reports  of  St.  Leger  not  only  prove  the  presence  of  Sir 
John  Johnson  in  command,  but  they  praise  his  able  dispo- 
sitions for  the  ambuscade  or  battle.  Family  tradition — a 
sure  index  to  the  truth  if  not  the  very  truth  itself — and  con- 
temporary publications  remove  every  doubt.  Sir  John's 
brother-in-law,  Major  Stephen  Watts,  of  New  York  city, 
dangerously  wounded,  appears  to  have  been  second  in  com- 
mand, certainly  of  the  white  troops,  and  most  gallantly 
prominent  in  the  bloodiest,  closest  fighting.  He,  like  Hark- 
heimer,  besides  receiving  other  terrible  wounds,  lost  his 
leg*  in  this  action  ;  but,  unlike  the  latter,  under  equally  dis- 
advantageous circumstances,  preserved  his  life. 

NOT  with  spears,  but  with  half-pikes  or  espontons.  The  last  were  sym- 
bols of  authority  and  command,  and  in  an  old  print  St.  Leger  is  repre- 
sented with  an  espontcn  in  his  hand.  Over  a  hundred  years  ago  there 
was  a  great  question  whether  light  double-barrel  muskete — Fcmething 
like  those  furnished  to  the  French  military  police  in  Corsica — should 
not  constitute  a  part  of  the  armament  of  officers  in  1he  French  service. 
The  folly  of  espontons  survived  down  to  the  beginning  of  this  century 
in  seme  services,  and  the  canes  of  Spanish  officers  to-day  may  be  repre- 
sentatives of  the  obsolete  espontons. 

*  "  Major  (Stephen)  Watts  was  wounded  through  the  leg  by  a  ball 
(he  eventually  lost  his  limb),  and  in  the  neck  by  a  thrust  from  a  bayonet, 
which  passed  through,  back  of  the  windpipe,  and  occasioned  such  an 
effusion  of  blood  as  to  induce  not  <  nly  him  but  his  captors  to  suppose 
(after  leading  him  two  or  three  miles)  that  he  must  die  in  consequence. 
He  begged  his  captors  to  kill  him  :  they  refused,  and  left  him  by  the 


The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany.  cxxv 

Without  attempting  to  develop  the  completeness  of  this 
fratricidal  butchery,  it  may  be  stated  as  one  curious  fact 
that  Harkheimer's  brother  was  not  only,  according  to 
some  narratives,  a  titular  British  colonel,  but  certainly  a  sort 
of  quartermaster  to  St.  Leger,  and  especially  charged  with 
the  supervision  of  the  Indian  auxiliaries  who  were  the 
cause  of  the  General's  death  and  the  slaughter  of  so  many 
of  their  common  kinsmen,  connections,  friends  and  neigh- 
bors. 

All  the  Revolutionary  battles  on  New  York  soil  were, 
more  or  less,  family  collisions,  and  realized  the  boast  which 
Shakespeare,  in  the  closing  lines  of  his  Tragedy  of  King 
John,  puts  in  the  mouth  of  the  valiant  bastard,  Falcon- 
bridge  : 


side  of  a  stream  under  the  shade  of  a  bridge  (across  Oriskany  Creek), 
where  he  was  found  two  days  subsequently  covered  with  fly-blows,  but 
still  alive.  He  was  borne  by  some  Indians  to  Schenectady  (Oswego, 
and  then  by  boat  to  Montreal),  where  he  remained  until  sufficiently  re- 
covered to  endure  a  voyage  to  England,  where  he  was  often  after  seen 
limping  about  Chelsea  Hospital.  [Error.  He  married  a  Miss  Nugent, 
and  reared  a  family  of  distinguished  sons  in  elegant  ease.]  The  sash 
taken  from  him  is  still  in  possession  of  the  Sanders  family." — "Legacy 
of  Historical  Gleanings,"  Vol.  I.,  pages  69-70. 

"  The  soldier  who  carried  the  Major  to  the  stream — and  received 
the  (Major's)  watch  as  a  reward — was  named  Failing,  a  private  in  Gen- 
eral Herkimer's  (own,  or  original)  regiment.  He  sold  the  watch  for 
$300,  Continental  money,  to  his  Lieutenant,  Martyn  G.  Van  Alstyne, 
who  would  never  part  with  it,  &c.  M.  G.  Van  Alstyne  was  First  Lieu- 
tenant, in  the  Seventh  Company,  General  Herkimer's  (own,  or  original) 
regiment,  and  was  a  great-uncle  of  my  (F.  H.  Roof,  of  Rhinebeck,  N.Y.) 
father.  He  lived  until  1880.  My  father,  now  aged  75,  remembers 
the  watch  well,  and  has  often  mentioned  the  incident  to  me,  as  related 
to  him  by  his  uncle." 


cxxvi  The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany. 

"  This  England  [New  York]  never  did  (nor  never  shall) 
Lie  at  the  proud  foot  of  a  conqueror 

But  when  it  first  did  help  to  wound  itself. 
***** 

Come  the  three  corners  of  the  world  in  arms 

And  we  shall  shock  them.    Nought  shall  make  us  rue 

If  England  [New  York]  to  itself  do  rest  but  true  !" 

This  savage  affair  crazed  even  the  Indians.  It  out- 
stripped their  own  ferocity.  They  lost  their  heads — went 
mad  like  wild  animals  at  the  sight  and  smell  of  blood. 
They  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  white  men  had  lured 
them  into  this  very  hell  of  tire  and  slaughter  to  extermi- 
nate them.  The  arena  of  battle  became  a  maelstrom  of 
bloodshed,  and  the  Indians  tomahawked  and  stabbed'friend 
and  foe  alike,  and  in  the  wild  whirl  and  cataclysm  of  pas- 
sions, more  powerful  than  their  own,  suffered  a  loss  which 
appalled  even  the  fell  instincts  of  the  savage. 

As  an  American,  and  especially  as  a  Knickerbacker,  the 
historian  cannot  but  rejoice  in  the  determination  exhibited 
by  the  people  of  his  State  and  kindred  blood,  and  of  this  op- 
portunity of  demonstrating  it.  Still,  as  a  chronicler  of  events, 
there  is  no  evading  the  concurrent  testimony  of  facts ;  of 
"Kapp's  History  of  his  People"  (i.  e.,  the  Dutch  and  Ger- 
man settlers  of  the  Mohawk  Valley),  and  of  St.  Leger's  Re- 
ports. All  of  these  concur  in  the  evidence,  direct  and  cir- 
cumstantial, that  Harkheimer's  little  army  suffered  a  tac- 
tical  disaster.  That  this  did  not  remain  a  defeat  and  was 
converted  (as  was  Monmouth)  eventually  into  a  moral 
triumph  and  political  as  well  as  a  strategical  success,  was 
due  to  the  common-sense  commandership  of  Harkheimer. 


The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany.          cxxvii 

According  to  his  plan,  the  advance  and  attack  of  his  col- 
umn of  Mohawk  Valley  men  was  to  be  a  combined  move- 
ment, based  upon,  or  involving,  a  simultaneous  sortie  from 
Fort  Stanwix.  This  sortie  was  not  made  in  time  to  save 
Harkheimer's  life  or  the  loss  of  over  two-thirds  of  his 
command,  killed  and  wounded  or  prisoners.  Nothing  pre- 
served the  survivors  of  Harkheimer's  column  but  the  del- 
uging "shower  of  blessing."  When  the  flood  began  to 
abate,  and  not  until  then,  did  Willett  take  advantage  of  the 
storm  to  make  his  sortie  and  attack  that  portion  of  St. 
Leger's  lines  which  had  been  stripped  to  co-operate  in  the 
ambush  set  for  Harkheimer.  The  siege  works,  or  lines  of 
investment — to  apply  a  formal  term  to  very  trifling  imita- 
tions— were  very  incomplete.  To  style  them  "lines  of  in- 
vestment" is  a  misnomer.  St.  Leger's  three  batteries — 
the  first,  three  light  guns ;  the  second,  four  diminutive 
mortars ;  the  third,  three  more  small  guns — were  totally 
inadequate  for  siege  purposes,  whereas  there  were  fourteen 
pieces  of  artillery  mounted  in  the  fort.  St.  Leger  did 
have  two  six-pounders,  but  the  carriages  were  found  to  be 
so  rotten  that  they  had  to  be  reconstructed  on  the  spot, 
and  consequently  could  not  have  been  of  service  when 
most  needed.  He  refers  to  this  fact  by  implication  in  his 
report.  The  redoubts  to  cover  the  British  batteries,  St. 
Leger's  line  of  approaches  and  his  encampment  were 
all  on  the  north  side  of  the  fort.  These  were  occupied  by 
250  to  350  regulars  and  Provincials.  Sir  John  Johnson's 
camp  or  works,  held  by  about  133  Loyalist  troops,  were  to 
the  southward.  It  was  against  these  last,  entirely  denuded 


cxxviii         The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany. 

of  their  defenders,  that  Willett  made  his  sortie.  St. 
Leger's  works  and  those  of  Sir  John  Johnson  were  widely 
separated  and  independent  of  each  other,  and  the  intervals, 
to  make  the  circuit  of  the  investment  apparently  complete, 
were  held,  or  rather  patrolled,  by  the  Indians,  who,  how- 
ever, during  the  sortie,  were  all  away  ambuscading  and 
assaulting  Harkheimer.  Consequently,  Willett' s  sortie, 
however  successful  in  its  results  as  to  material  captured, 
and  as  a  diversion,  was  utterly  devoid  of  peril.  That  he 
had  time  to  plunder  Sir  John  Johnson's  camp,  and  three 
times  send  out  seven  wagons,  load  them,  and  send  them 
back  into  the  post,  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  is  unanswer- 
able proof  that  he  met  with  no  opposition.  He  surprised 
and  captured  a  small  squad  of  prisoners  (?) — five,  an  offi- 
cer (commissioned  or  non-commissioned)  and  four  privates 
— and  saw  a  few  dead  Indians  and  whites,  but  nowhere 
does  it  appear  whether  they  had  been  killed  by  the  fire 
from  the  fort  or  in  the  attack.  All  the  merit  that  belongs 
to  his  sortie,  in  a  military  point  of  view,  is  the  fact  that  to 
save  whatever  material  Willett  did  not  have  time  to  re- 
move, Sir  John  Johnson  had  to  extricate  and  hurry  back 
his  "Royal  Greens  "  from  the  battle-ground  of  Oriskany, 
four  to  five  and  a  half  miles  away  ;  leaving  the  stage  of 
collision  with  the  expectation  that  the  completion  of  the 
bloody  work  would  be  effectually  performed  by  the  In- 
dians. These,  however,  had  already  got  their  fill  of  fight- 
ing, and  to  this  alone  was  due  the  result,  so  fortunate  for 
the  survivors  of  Harkheimer's  column,  that  its  remnant 
was  left  in  possession  of  the  field,  soaked  with  their  blood 


The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany.  cxxix 

and  covered  with  their  dead  and  wounded.  The  glory  of 
Oriskany  belongs  to  the  men  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  only 
in  that,  although  they  were  "completely  entrapped,"  they 
defended  themselves  with  such  desperation  for  five  or  six 
hours,  and  finally  displayed  so  much  restored  courage,  that 
they  were  able  to  extricate  even  a  few  fragments  from  the 
slaughter  pit.  That  "Willett  captured  "  five  British  stand- 
ards," or  five  British  stand  of  colors,  is  not  probable; 
scarcely  possible.  They  may  have  been  camp  colors  or 
markers.  The  regimental  colors  are  not  entrusted  to  drib- 
let detachments  from  regiments.  The  "  Royal  Greens  " 
may  have  had  a  color,  a  single  flag,  although  this  is  very 
doubtful,  because,  if  only  133  constituted  their  whole 
strength,  they  formed  a  very  weak — a  mere  skeleton — 
battalion.  The  colors  of  the  Eighth  or  King's  Regiment 
of  Foot  were  certainly  left  at  headquarters,  likewise  those 
of  the  British  Thirty-fourth.*  The  same  remark  applies 
to  the  Hesse-Hanau  Chasseurs — a  company  of  Jagers  or 


*  In  corroboration  of  this  view  of  the  subject,  take  the  concluding 
paragraph  of  Washington's  letter  of  July  20,  1779,  to  the  President  of 
Congress,  reporting  the  capture  of  Stoney  Point,  on  the  night  of  the 
I5-16th  July,  1770.  In  this  paragraph  he  states  that  "  two  standards  " 
were  taken,  "  one  belonging  to  the  garrison  [this  was  not  a  standard 
proper,  but  what  is  technically  called  a  garrison  flag]  and  one  [a  stand- 
ard proper]  to  the  Seventeenth  Regiment."  Stoney  Point  was  held  by 
a  British  force  only  a  few  less  than  the  white  besieging  force  before 
Port  Stanwix.  The  garrison  was  composed  of  detachments  from  four 
different  regular  organizations,  and  yet  these  had  only  one  standard, 
proper,  which  belonged  to  the  Seventeenth.  Of  this  regiment  there 
were  six  companies,  the  majority  of  it  in  the  works,  where  also  the 
Lieut. -Colonel  commanding  had  his  permanent  quarters. 


cxxx  The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany. 

Riflemen  would  certainly  not  have  with  it  the  regimental 
standard. 

As  still  further  proof  of  this  view  taken,  the  camp  of 
the  British  Regulars,  proper,  was  not  attacked.  The  fact  is, 
the  American  story  of  Willett's  sortie  has  an  atmosphere 
of  myth  about  it.  St.  Leger's  report  to  Burgoyne,  and 
likewise  to  his  immediate  superior,  Carleton — the  latter 
the  most  circumstantial — present  the  most  convincing  evi- 
dence of  truthfulness.  St.  Leger  writes  to  Carleton : 

*'  At  the  time  [when  Harkheimer  drew -near]  I  had  not  250 
of  the  King's  troops  in  camp,  the  various  and  extensive  opera- 
tions I  was  under  an  absolute  necessity  of  entering  into  having 
employed  the  rest;  and  therefore  [I]  could  not  send  [original- 
ly] above  80  white  men,  rangers  and  troops  included,  with  the 
whole  corps  of  Indians.  Sir  John  Johnson  put  himself  at  the 
head  of  this  party.  *  *  * 

"  In  relation  to  the  victory  [over  Harkheimer],  it  was  equally 
complete  as  if  the  whole  [of  the  Americans]  had  fallen  ;  nay, 
more  so,  as  the  200  [out  of  800  or  900  or  1,000]  who  escaped 
served  only  to  spread  the  panic  wider;  but  it  was  not  so  with 
the  Indians,  their  loss  was  great.  I  must  be  understood  In- 
dian computation,  being  only  about  30  killed  and  wounded, 
and  in  that  number  some  of  their  favorite  chiefs  and  confiden- 
tial warriors  were  slain.  *  *  *  As  I  suspected,  the  enemy 
[Willett]  made  a  sally  with  250  men  towards  Lieut.  BIRD'S 
post  to  facilitate  the  entrance  of  the  relieving  corps  or  bring  on 

a  general  engagement  with  every* advantage  they  could  wish. 
*  *  #  *  *  * 

"  Immediately  upon  the  departure  of  Captain  HOYES  I  learned 
that  Lieut.  Bird,  misled  by  the  information  of  a  cowardly  In- 
dian that  SIK  JOHN  was  prest,  had  quitted  his  post  to  march  to 
his  assistance.  I  commanded  the  detachment  of  the  King's 
regiment  in  support  of  Captain  HOYES  by  a  road  in  sight  of  the 


The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany.  cxxxi 

garrison,  which,  with  executive  fire  from  his  party,  immediately 
drove  the  enemy  into  the  fort  without  any  further  advantage 
than  frightening  some  squaws  and  pilfering  the  packs  of  the 
warriors  which  they  left  behind  them" 

Col.  Glaus  corroborates  and  explains  this : 

"  During  the  action  [with  Harkheimer],  when  the  garrison 
found  the  Indians'  camp  (who  went  out  against  their  reinforce- 
ments) empty,  they  boldly  sally'd  out  with  three  hundred  men 
and  two  field-pieces,  and  took  away  the  Indians'  packs,  with 
their  cloaths,  wampum  and  silver  work,  '  they  having  gone  in 
their  shirts,  or  naked,  to  action  ;'  [Western  Indians  strip  to  the 
buff  for  fighting  to  this  day]  and  when  they  found  a  party 
advancing  from  our  camp,  they  returned  with  their  spoil,  tak- 
ing with  them  Lieut.  Singleton  [wounded  about  the  same  time 
with  Major  or  Captain  Watts  at  Oriskany},  and  a  private  of 
Sir  John's  Regiment,  who  lay  wounded  in  the  Indian  camp. 
The  disappointment  was  rather  greater  to  the  Indians  than  their 
loss,  for  they  had  nothing  to  cover  themselves  at  night,  or 
against  the  weather,  and  nothing  in  our  camp  to  supply  them 
till  I  got  to  Oswego." 

Nothing  beneficial  could  have  resulted  from  collusion  in 
the  reports  of  the  British  and  Loyal  officers.  The  fact  that 
Willett  sent  his  seven  wagons  out  and  in,  three  times,  shows 
there  could  have  been  no  enemy  encountered,  for  riflemen 
in  the  woods  could  at  least  have  shot  down  his  horses  if 
they  had  not  the  courage  to  exchange  fires  Math  his  men. 

It  was  Harkheimer  who  knocked  all  the  fight  out  of  the 
Indians,  and  it  was  the  desertion  of  the  Indians,  and  this 
alone,  that  rendered  St.  Leger's  expedition  abortive. 

In  summing  up  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  St. 
Leger  had  only  375  to  410  regulars  and  Provincials,  in  ad- 
18 


cxxxii          The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany. 

dition  to  his  ten  light  guns  and  diminutive  mortars,  to  be- 
siege a  fort,  well  supplied,  mounting  fourteen  guns,  garri- 
soned with  750  at  least,  and  according  to  the  indefinite 
language  of  other  authorities,  950  troops  of  the  New  York 
Line,  i.  e.,  to  a  certain  degree,  Regulars. 

Nevertheless,  St.  Leger  continued  to  press  the  siege, 
with  at  most  410  whites  against  750  to  950  whites,  from 
the  6th  until  the  22d  August,  and  when  he  broke  up  and 
retreated  at  the  news  of  Arnold's  approach  with  a  force 
magnified  by  rumor,  it  was  almost  altogether  on  account 
of  the  infamous  conduct  of  the  Indians.  All  the  evidence 
when  sifted  justifies  his  remarks  that  the  Indians  "  became 
more  formidable  than  the  enemy  we  had  to  expect."  By 
enemy  he  meant  Arnold's  column,  hastening  his  march 
against  him  and  the  garrison  in  his  immediate  front,  and 
yet  neither  St.  Leger  nor  Burgoyne  underestimated  the 
American  troops — not  even  the  'Militia,  especially  when 
the  latter  were  fighting  under  cover  or  behind  works. 

The  gist  of  all  this  lies  in  one  fact — it  was  not  the-  de- 
fense of  Fort  Stanwix,  but  the  self-devotion  and  desperation 
of  Harkheimer's  militia  that  saved  the  Mohawk  Yalley, 
and  constitutes  Oriskany  the  Thermopylae  of  the  American 
Revolution  ;  the  crisis  and  turning-point  against  the  Bri- 
tish,* of  the  Burgoyne  campaign;  and  the  "Decisive  Con- 
flict" of  Americans  Seven  Years'  War  for  Independence. 


*  As  everything  in  regard  to  these  occurrences  is  interesting,  the 
following  translation  of  von  Eelking's  "  Deutchen  Hulfstruppen"  (I.,  3- 
23)  is  presented  in  regard  to  the  Hesse-Hanau  Jager  or  Rifle  Company 
attached  to  St.  Leger's  command  : 


The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany.          cxxxiii 

"  Finally  it  is  proper  to  commemorate  in  detail  an  event  in  con- 
nection with  this  campaign  which  we  have  alluded  to  or  treated  al- 
ready more  at  length  :  the  flanking  expedition  undertaken,  as  a  side- 
issue,  against  Fort  Stanwix.  The  Jager  or  Rifle  Company  which  was 
assigned  to  him  was  the  first  that  the  Count  of  Hesse-Hanau  sent  over 
to  America.  It  left  Hanau  7th  May,  1777,  and  reached  Canada  llth  of 
June.  It  was  at  once  sent  forward  by  the  Governor  (Carleton)  to  join 
the  troops  which  had  already  started  up  the  St.  Lawrence  and  assigned 
to  the  column  of  St.  Leger.  It  was  commanded  by  Lieut.  Hildebrand. 
The  march  through  these  distant  and  sparsely  settled  districts  was  long 
and  very  laborious,  accompanied  with  all  kinds  of  dangers  and  obsta- 
cles. In  order  to  avoid  the  almost  impenetrable  wilderness,  a  greater 
circuit  was  made  across  Lake  Ontario.  The  corps  of  St.  Leger,  com- 
prising detachments  from  so  many  different  organizations,  started  in 
the  beginning  of  July  from  the  neighborhood  of  Montreal  as  soon  as  the 
expected  Indian  force  had  been  assembled  there.  The  transportation 
in  flat  boats  150  miles  up  the  river  was  very  slow  ;  the  more  so  because, 
every  now  and  then,  the  boats  had  to  be  taken  ashore  and  carried  by 
hand  around  the  rapids  or  cataracts.  Having  overcome  the  difficulties 
of  the  river,  the  route  lay  across  the  broad  Ontario  Lake  to  Fort  Oswe- 
go  on  the  south  shore.  There  a  day  was  devoted  to  rest,  in  order  that 
the  troops  might  recover  to  some  extent  from,  the  exhaustion  produced 
by  their  previous  exertions.  Thence  the  route  followed  a  stream  (Os- 
wego  River]  and  a  small  lake  [Oneida]  inland  in  a  southerly  direction  ; 
[thence  a  cheval,  and  up,  "Wood  Creek]  the  troops  marched  to  the  Mo- 
hawk, on  which  stood  Fort  Stanwix,  held  by  the  enemy  [Americans]. 
The  march  was  extremely  laborious,  since  not  only  natural  difficulties 
had  to  be  overcome,  but  also  the  artificial  obstacles  which  the  Ameri- 
cans had  placed  in  the  way  to  hinder  the  advance  of  their  opponents. 

"  On  the  3d  August,  the  Fort — after  the  garrison  had  rejected  the 
demand  for  a  surrender — was  assaulted  without  success.  On  the  5th,  a 
relieving  column  of  nearly  1 ,000  men  drew  near.  St.  Leger  was  aware 
of  its  approach  in  time,  and  for  its  reception  [Sir  John  Johnson]  placed 
an  ambuscade  in  the  woods.  This  for  the  greater  part  consisted  of  regu- 
lar troops,  and  among  these  were  the  Hesse-Hanau  Jagers.  [It  was 
the  intention  of  the  British  authorities  to  send  the  whole  Regiment  or 
Battalion  of  Hesse-Hanau  Chasseurs  or  Riflemen,  but  only  one  com- 
pany arrived  in  time,  and  only  one  company,  not  over  40  or  50  men, 
was  furnished  to  St.  Leger.]  The  rest  were  Indians." 

[This  account  differs  from  every  one  hitherto  examined,  and  shows 
even  yet  we  are  not  acquainted  with  some  of  the  most  interesting  facts 


cxxxiv         The  Ambuscade  on  the  Oriskany. 

of  this  momentous  conflict.  St.  Leger,  in  his  official  report,  expressly 
states  that  he  did  not  send  over  80  white  men,  Bangers  and  troops  in- 
cluded, with  the  whole  corps  of  Indians,  and  that  Sir  John  Johnson 
was  in  command.  The  discrepancy,  however,  is  easily  reconcilable 
with  what  has  been  hitherto  stated,  and  explains  the  late  arrival  of  the 
"  Johnson  "  or  "  Royal  Greens."  These  latter  must  have  remained  in 
camp  to  hold  the  garrison  in  check.  When  the  Indians  began  to  slink 
out  of  the  fight,  the  Royal  Greens  must  have  been  hurried  to  the  scene 
of  action,  leaving  their  lines  to  the  south  of  the  Fort  entirely  destitute 
of  defenders.  This  established  what  the  writer  has  always  claimed, 
that  Willett  encountered  no  opposition  at  all  in  his  sortie,  and  that  the 
ordinary  accounts  of  it  are  no  better  than  a  myth.  Furthermore,  every- 
thing demonstrates  irrefutably  the  total  unreliability  of  the  Indians  as 
fighters  ;  and  that  the  failure  of  St.  Leger's  expedition  is  entirely  attri- 
buted to  the  misconduct  of  these  savages.  Finally,  since  the  Burgoyne 
expedition  depended  on  St.  Leger's  success,  and  his  utter  military 
bankruptcy  is  chargeable  to  the  Indians,  and  to  them  alone,  therefore— 
as  is  clearly  shown — the  whole  British  Combined  Operations  of  1777 
ended  in  a  catastrophe,  through  a  fatal  overestimate  of  the  value  of  In- 
dians as  a  fighting  power,  or  as  auxiliaries  wherever  any  hard  fighting 
had  to  be  done,  or  for  any  useful  purpose  whatever  involving  perse- 
verance.] 

"  The  surprise  was  such  a  perfect  success  scarcely  one-half  the  mi- 
litia escaped.  While  St.  Leger  had  thus  scattered  his  troops,  the  be- 
sieged made  a  sortie  and  plundered  his  camp.  This  was  a  grievous 
loss  to  him  :  because  in  these  almost  desert  districts  pretty  much  all 
the  necessaries  of  life  had  to  be  carried  [along  with  a  column]  ;  since 
the  British  troops  were  wanting  in  artillery,  and  since  a  second  relieving 
column,  2,000  strong,  was  approaching  under  the  audacious  Gen.  Ar- 
nold, which  threw  the  Indians  into  such  extreme  nervous  terror  that 
they  either  scattered  or  besought  that  they  might  be  led  back  again. 
In  consequence  of  [all]  this,  St.  Leger  had  to  break  up  the  siege  on  the 
23d  August,  and,  abandoning  tents,  guns  and  stores,  retreat  at  once. 

"  So  ended  this  operation  which,  if  it  had  turned  out  more  success- 
fully, would,  in  any  event,  have  prevented  the  tragic  fate  of  Burgoyne1 » 
army.'1'' 

If  the  disinterested  German  soldier  and  historian,  von  Eelking, 
does  not  demonstrate  that  the  success  of  Burgoyne  depended  on  that  of 
St.  Leger,  and  that  this  was  completely  frustrated  by  Oriskany,  thus 
making  Oriskany  the  turning  point  of  the  American  Revolution — 
words  are  inadequate  to  express  the  truth. 


OFTEN   STYLED 


19TH  OCTOBER,  1780. 

"  History^  is  not  noiu-a-days  consulted  as  a  faithful  oracle  ;  it  is  rather  treated 
like  the  old  lamp  as  too  rusty,  too  old  and  homely,  to  bear  light  amidst  the  blaze  of 
modern  illumination,  but  more  valuable  as  an  instrument  of  incantation,  which,  by 
occasional  friction  upon  its  surface,  may  conjure  up  mighty  spirits  to  do  the  bidding 
of  a  master.  Such  an  instrument  in  the  hands  of  a  good  and  faithful  magician 
will  not  be  employed  upon  baseless  fabrications,  that  new  power  may  dissolve,  but 
in  building  upon  the  foundations  of  Truth,  that  shall  still  hold  all  together,  in 
defiance  of  the  agency  of  even  the  same  enchantment  to  destroy  the  structures  it  has 
raised."  SOUTHGATE'S  "Many  Thoughts  on  Many  Things." 

Of  all  the  engagements  which  have  occurred  upon  the 
soil  of  New  York,  the  "cock-pit,"  or  "the  Flanders," 
of  the  Colonies,  there  is  none  which  has  been  so  much  mis- 
represented as  this.  There  is  very  little  basis  for  the  nar- 
rative generally  accepted  as  history.  Envy,  hatred  and 
malice  have  painted  every  picture,  and  even  gone  so  far  as 
to  malign  the  State  commander,  the  scion  of  a  family  who 
risked  more  than  any  other  for  the  Commonwealth,  to  con- 
ceal and  excuse  the  bad  conduct  of  his  troops.  As  for  the 


*  Sometimes  confounded  with  that  of  Stone  Arabia  (on  or  near  de 
Peyster  Patent) ;  East  side  of  Caroga  Creek,  where  it  empties  into  the 
Mohawk  Kiyer,  near  St.  Johnsville,  Montgomery  County,  S.  N.  Y., 
sixty-three  miles  W.  by  N.  of  Albany. 
cxxxv 


cxxxvi  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

leader  of  the  Loyalists,  it  is  no  wonder  that  his  reputation 
fared  badly  at  the  hands  of  a  community  whom  he  had 
made  to  suffer  so  severely  for  their  sins  against  justice,  his 
family  connections,  friends  and  himself.  The  State  Briga- 
dier-General was  wrongfully  accused  and  abused,  although 
acquitted  of  every  charge  by  his  peers,*  and  highly  com- 
mended for  activity,  fidelity,  prudence,  spirit  arid  conduct. 
The  Royal  leader,  like  the  State  commander,  was  also  sub- 
jected to  the  false  accusation  of  want  of  courage,  on  the 
statement  of  a  personal  enemy ;  but,  like  his  antagonist, 
received  the  highest  commendation  of  his  superior,  a  vete- 
ran and  proficient. 

Before  attempting  to  describe  what  actually  occurred  on 
the  date  of  the  collision,  a  brief  introduction  is  necessary 
to  its  comprehension.  The  distinguished  Peter  Van 
Schaack  (Stone's  "  Sir  William  Johnson,"  II.,  388)  pro- 
nounced Sir  "William  Johnson  "  THE  GREATEST  CHARACTER 
or  THE  AGE,"  the  ablest  man  who  figured  in  our  irnme- 
mediate  Colonial  history.  He  was  certainly  the  benefactor 
of  Central  New  York,  the  protector  of  its  menaced  fron- 
tier, the  first  who  by  victories  stayed  the  flood-tide  of 
French  invasion.  His  son,  Sir  John,  succeeded  to  the 
bulk  of  his  vast  possessions  in  the  most  troublous  times  of 
New  York's  history.  He  owed  everything  to  the  Crown 
and  nothing  to  the  People,  and  yet  the  People,  because  he 
would  not  betray  his  duty  to  the  Crown,  drove  him  forth 


*  "  French's  Gazetteer,"  432  ;  Stone's  "  Brant,"  II.,  124-5  ;  Stone's 
"  Border  Wars,"  ii.,  126-7  ;  Simrn's  "  Schoharie  County,"  430-1 ;  Camp- 
bell's "  Border  Wars,"  199-201. 


Engagement  near  Fotfs  Mills.          cxxxvii 

and  despoiled  him.  More  than  once  he  returned  in  arms 
to  punish  and  retrieve,  at  a  greater  hazard  than  any  to 
which  the  mere  professional  soldier  is  subjected.  By  the 
detestable  laws  of  this  embryo  State,  even  a  peaceable  re- 
turn subjected  him  to  the  risk  of  a  halter ;  consequently, 
in  addition  to  the  ordinary  perils  of  battle,  he  fought,  as  it 
were,  with  a  rope  around  his  neck.  There  was  no  honor- 
able captivity  for  him.  The  same  pitiless  revenge  which, 
after  King's  Mountain  (S.  C.),  in  the  same  month  and  year 
(7th  October,  1780),  strung  up  a  dozen  Loyalist  officers  and 
soldiers  would  have  sent  him  speedily  to  execution.  The 
coldly  cruel  or  unrelentingly  severe — choose  between  the 
terms — Governor  Clinton  would  have  shown  no  pity  to 
one  who  had  struck  harder  and  oftener  than  any  other, 
and  left  the  record  of  his  visitations  in  letters  of  fire  on  vast 
tablets  of  ashes  coherent  with  blood. 

In  1777,  through  the  battle-plans  of  Sir  John,  a  major- 
ity of  the  effective  manhood  of  the  Mohawk — among  these 
some  of  his  particular  persecutors — perished  at  Oriskany. 
Neither  Sir  John  Johnson  nor  Brant  had  anything  to  do 
with  Wyoming.  This  is  indisputable,  despite  the  bitter 
words  and  flowing  verses  of  historians,  so  called,  and  poets, 
drawing  false  fancy  pictures  of  what  never  had  any  actual 
existence.  In  1779,  his  was  the  spirit  which  induced  the 
Indians  to  make  an  effort  to  arrest  Sullivan,  and  it  was  Sir 
John,  at  length,  interposed  between  this  General  and 
his  great  objective,  Niagara,  if  it  was  not  the  very  know- 
ledge that  Sir  John  was  concentrating  forces  in  his  front 
that  caused  Sullivan  to  turn  back.  In  the  following  autumn 


cxxxviii        Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

(1779)  he  made  himself  master  of  the  key  of  the  "great 
portage"  between  Ontario  and  the  Mohawk,  and  his  far- 
ther visitation  of  the  valley  eastward  was  only  frustrated 
by  the  stormy  season  on  the  great  lake  by  which  alone  he 
could  receive  reinforcements  and  supplies. 

In  May,  1780,  starting  from  Bulwagga  Bay  (near  Crown 
Point)  on  Lake  Champlain,  he  constructed  a  military  road 
through  the  wilderness — of  whicli  vestiges  are  still  plainly 
visible — ascended  the  Sacondaga,  crossed  the  intervening 
watershed,  and  fell  (on  Sunday  night,  21st  May)  with  the 
suddenness  of  a  waterspout  upon  his  rebellious  birthplace, 
accomplished  his  purpose,  left  behind  him  a  dismal  testi- 
mony of  his  visitation,  and  despite  the  pursuit  of  aggre- 
gated enemies,  escaped  with  his  recovered  plate,  rich  booty 
and  numerous  prisoners. 

It  was  during  this  expedition  that  Sir  William's  fishing 
house  and  summer  house  on  the  Sacondaga  were  destroyed, 
and  it  is  a  wonder  Sir  John  did  not  burn  to  the  ground  the 
family  hall  at  Johnstown.  This  was  not  a  raid,  but  an  in- 
vasion, which  depended  for  success  upon,  at  least,  demon- 
strations by  the  British  forces  in  New  York.  As  in  1777 
and  1779,  and  again  in  the  fall  of  1780,  there  was  nothing 
done  by  the  indolent  professionals. 

In  August-September  of  the  same  year,  he  organized  a 
second  expedition  at  Lachine  (nine  miles  above  Montreal), 
ascended  the  St.  Lawrence,  crossed  Lake  Ontario,  followed 
up  the  course  of  the  Oswego  River,  coasted  the  southern 
shore  of  Oneida  Lake,  until  he  reached  the  mouth  of  Chit- 
tenango  Creek  (western  boundary  of  Madison  County 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  cxxxix 

and  eastern  of  Onondaga  County),  where  lie  left  his 
batteaux  and  canoes,  struck  off  southeastward  up  the 
Chittenango,  then  crossing  the  Unadilla  and  the  Charlotte, 
(sometimes  called  the  East  branch  of  the  Susquehanna), 
and  descended  in  a  tempest  of  flame  into  the  rich  settle- 
ments along  the  Schoharie,  which  he  struck  at  what  was 
known  as  the  Upper  Fort,  now  Fultonham,  Schoharie 
County.  * 

Thence  he  wasted  the  whole  of  this  rich  valley  to  the 
mouth  of  this  stream,  and  then  turning  westward  completed 
the  devastation  of  everything  which  preceding  inroads  had 
spared.  (Stone's  "Brant,"  II. ,  124.)  The  preliminary 
march  through  natural  obstacles,  apparently  insurmount- 
able to  an  armed  force,  was  one  of  certainly  200  miles. 
The  succeeding  sweep  and  retreat  embraced  almost  as 
many.  The  result,  if  reported  with  any  correctness,  might 
recall  Sir  Walter  Scott's  lines  ("  Vision  of  Don  Roderick," 
Conclusion  II.): 

"While  downward  on  the  land  his  legions  press, 
Before  him  it  was  rich  with  vine  and  flock, 

And  smil'd  like  Eden  in  her  summer  dress, — 
Behind  their  march  a  howling  wilderness." 

More  than  one  contemporary  statement  attests  that  the 
invasion  carried  things  back  to  the  uncertainties  of  the  old 
French  inroads  and  reinvested  Schenectady  with  the  dan- 


*  If  the  old  maps  of  this  then  savage  country  are  reliable,  he  may 
have  crossed  from  the  valley  of  the  Charlotte  into  that  of  the  Mohawk 
Branch  of  the  Delaware,  or  the  Papontuck  Branch  further  east  again. 
From  either  there  was  a  portage  of  only  a  few  miles  to  the  Schoharie 
Kill. 

19 


cxl  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

gerous  honor  of  being  considered  again  a  frontier  post. 
(Hough's  "Northern  Invasion,"  131,  144. 

The  immediate  local  damage  done  by  Sir  John,  within 
the  territory  affected  by  his  visitation,  was  nothing  in 
comparison  to  the  consequences,  militarily  considered, 
without  these.  The  destruction  of  breadstuifs  and  forage 
was  enormous.  Washington  and  the  army  felt  it,  since 
the  districts  invaded  and  wasted  were  granaries  on  which 
the  American  commissariat  and  quartermaster's  depart- 
ment depended  in  a  great  measure  for  the  daily  rations 
which  they  had  to  provide.  The  number  of  bushels  of 
wheat  and  other  grain  rendered  worthless  "threatened 
alarming  consequences."  Eighty  thousand  bushels  were 
lost  in  the  Schoharie  settlement  alone.  "Washington  ad- 
mits this  in  a  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  dated  7th 
November,  1780.  Had  the  British  military  authorities  in 
New  York  and  in  Canada  been  alive  to  the  advantages  to  be 
derived  from  the  condition  of  affairs  in  Central  New  York, 
they  might  have  enabled  Sir  John  to  strike  a  blow  that 
would  have  shaken  the  fabric  of  Kevolution,  throughout  the 
Middle  States,  at  least.  Alas  !  they  seem  to  have  been 
possessed  with  the  spirit  of  inertion  and  incapacity,  and  the 
abandoned  Loyalists  might  have  exclaimed,  with  Uhland  : 

"  Forward !   Onward !  far  and  forth  ! 
An  earthquake  shout  awakes  the  North. 

Forward ! 

Forward  !  Onward  !  far  and  forth  ! 
And  prove  what  gallant  hearts  are  worth." 

Forward  ! " 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  cxli 

The  terrifying  intelligence  of  the  appearance  of  this 
little  "army  of  vengeance  "  aroused  the  whole  energy  of 
coterminous  districts  ;  the  militia  were  assembled  in  haste, 
and  pushed  forward  to  the  point  of  danger,  under  Brigadier- 
General  Robert  van  Rensselaer,  of  Claverack  (now  Colum  - 
bia  County),  who  were  guided  into  the  presence  of  their 
enemy  literally  by  "pillars  of  fire  by  night  and  columns 
of  smoke  by  day."  Although  he  knew  that  he  was  pur- 
sued by  forces  treble  or  quadruple  if  not  quintuple  his  own, 
Sir  John  continued  to  burn  and  destroy  up  to  the  very  hour 
when  his  troops  were  obliged  to  lay  aside  the  torch  to  re- 
sume their  firelocks.  In  fact,  if  the  two  engagements  of 
the  19th  of  October,  1770,  were  contemplated  parts  of  a 
combined  plan  to  overwhelm  Sir  John,  he  actually  fought 
and  burned  simultaneously.  To  whomsoever  a  contempo- 
raneous map  of  this  country  is  accessible,  it  will  be  evident 
how  vast  a  district  was  subjected  to  this  war  cyclone.  On 
the  very  day  (19th  October)  that  van  Rensselaer  was  at 
Fort  Plain,  the  flourishing  settlements  of  Stone  Arabia 
(Palatine  Township,  Montgomery  County),  a  few  miles  to 
the  westward,  were  destroyed.  Finding  that  he  must  fight, 
either  to  arrest  pursuit  or  to  insure  retreat,  Sir  John  hastily 
assembled  some  of  his  wearied  troops,  while  others  kept  on 
burning  in  every  direction,  to  engage  the  garrison  of  Fort 
Paris — constructed  to  protect  the  Stone  Arabia  settlement 
(Simm's  "  Schoharie  County,"  426) — which  marched  out 
to  intercept  him  under  Colonel  Brown,  an  officer  of  un- 
doubted ability  and  of  tried  courage.  Brown's  immediate 
force  consisted  of  130  men  of  the  Massachusetts  Levies, 


cxlii  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

and  a  body  of  militia — 70  and  upwards — whose  numbers 
and  co-operation  seemed  to  have  been  studiously  concealed 
by  almost  every  writer  at  the  period  ;  that  there  were  mi- 
litia present  is  unquestionable.  It  is  almost,  if  not  abso- 
lutely, certain  that  Brown  marched  out  of  Fort  Paris  in 
pursuance  of  the  orders  and  plan  of  van  Rensselaer,  in  or- 
der to  cut  Sir  John  off  from  his  line  of  retreat,  and  hold  him 
or  "  head  him  "  until  van  Rensselaer  could  fall  upon  him 
with  overwhelming  numbers.  The  same  failure  to  co- 
operate in  executing  a  very  sensible  piece  of  strategy  sac- 
rificed Harkheimer  to  Sir  John  at  Oriskany,  some  three 
years  previously,  and  resulted  in  a  similar  catastrophe.  To 
appreciate  and  to  forestall  was  the  immediate  and  only  so- 
lution. Sir  John  attacked  Colonel  Brown — like  "now, 
on  the  head,"  as  Suwarrow  phrased  it — about  9  or  10  A.  M., 
killed  him  and  about  100  of  his  men,  and  captured  several 
(Hough's  "Northern  Invasions  "  says  40  killed  and  two 
prisoners),  and  sent  the  survivors  flying  into  van  Rensse- 
laer' s  lines,  to  infect  them  with  the  terror  of  the  slaughter 
from  which  they  had  just  escaped.  The  Stone  Arabia  fight, 
in  which  Colonel  Brown  fell,  was  only  two  miles  distant 
from  the  "Nose,"  where  van  Rensselaer's  forces  had  al- 
ready arrived.  They  heard  the  firing  just  as  twilight  was 
melting  into  night,  in  a  valley  where  the  latter  prematurely 
reigned  through  the  masses  of  smoke  from  burning  build- 
ings, which  brooded  like  a  black  fog,  sensible  to  the  touch. 
Van  Rensselaer  came  upon  the  position  where  Sir  John 
had  "  settled  "  himself  to  resist.  This  "settled  "  is  most 
apposite.  It  recalls  a  spectacle  often  visible  in  our  woods, 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  cxliii 

when  a  predatory  hawk,  wearied  with  his  flight,  settles  on 
a  limb  to  rest  and  resist  a  flock  of  encompassing  furious 
crows,  whose  nests  he  has  just  invaded. 

To  refer  back  to  the  darkness  occasioned  by  smoke,  it 
may  be  necessary  to  state  that  the  dwellers  of  cities  or  old 
cultivated  districts- have  no  conception  of  the  atmospheric 
disturbance  occasioned  by  extensive  conflagrations  in  a 
wooded  country.* 

It  is  only  lately  that  forest  fires,  commingled  with  fog, 
so  obscured  the  atmosphere  along  the  coast,  to  the  east- 
ward, that  lamps  and  gas  were  necessary  in  the  middle  of 
the  afternoon. 

What  is  more,  the  evening  air  in  October  is  often  heavy 
through  a  surcharge  of  dampness,  especially  along  large 
streams  and  in  bottom  lands.  To  such  as  can  imagine  this 
condition  of  the  atmosphere,  it  will  at  once  become  evi- 
dent how  much  it  was  augmented  immediately  after  a  few 
volleys  from  about  two  thousand  muskets,  the  smoke  of  the 
conflagrations,  and  the  explosions  of  the  powder,  render- 
ing objects  invisible  almost  at  arms'  length.  This  is  estab- 
lished by  the  testimony  of  a  gallant  American  officer,  Col. 


*  The  dark  day  in  Massachusetts,  of  19th  May.  1780,  was  due  to 
this  cause  (Heath,  236-7-8),  when  artificial  night,  culminating  about 
noon,  sent  the  animal  creation  to  roost  and  repose  with  less  exceptions 
than  during  the  completest  eclipse,  and  filled  the  minds  of  men  with 
apprehension  and  astonishment.  This  is  not  the  only  "  dark  day"  so 
recorded.  On  the  25th  October,  1820,  at  New  York,  candlelight  was 
necessary  at  11  A.  M.  The  16th  May,  1780,  was  another  u  dark  day  " 
in  Canada,  where  similar  phenomena  were  observed  on  the  9th,  15th 
and  16th  October,  1785.  On  the  last,  "  it  is  said  to  have  been  as  dark 
as  a  dark  night."  Several  other  instances  are  chronicled. 


cxliv  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

Dubois  (Hough,  183-5),  who  stated  that  shortly  after  the 
firing  became  warm,  when  within  five  paces  of  his  general, 
he  could  only  recognize  him  by  his  voice.  Therefore  for 
anyone  to  pretend  to  relate  what  occurred  within  the  lines 
of  Sir  John  Johnson  a  few  (15  ?)  minutes  after  volleys  had 
been  exchanged  along  the  whole  fronts,  is  simply  drawing 
upon  the  "imagination  for  facts."  Consequently,  when 
the  American  writers  say  that  the  enemy  broke  and  ran,  it 
was  simply  attributing  to  them  what  was  occurring  within 
van  Rensselaer's  lines,  where  the  officers  could  not  restrain 
the  rear  from  firing  over  and  into  the  front,  and  from 
breaking  beyond  the  power  of  being  rallied.  Doubtless, 
as  always,  the  regulars  on  both  sides  behaved  as  well  as 
circumstances  permitted.  Sir  John's  Indians,  opposed  to 
the  American  Continentals  and  Levies  for  the  defence  of 
the  frontiers,  it  is  very  likely  gave  way  almost  at  once. 
Brant,  their  gallant  and  able  leader,  was  wounded  in  the 
heel,  and  therefore  unable  to  move  about,  encourage  them 
and  hold  them  up  to  their  work.  Thus  crippled  he  had 
enough  to  do  to  get  oif,  for  if  taken  he  knew  well  that  his 
shrift  would  be  short  and  his  "despatch  "  speedy,  if  not 
"happy."  Sir  John  was  also  struck  in  the  thigh,  arid  was 
charged  with  quitting  the  field.  The  only  evidence  of  this  is 
derived  from  one  of  his  bitter  personal  enemies,  surcharged 
with  spite  and  a  desire  for  vengeance.  How  bitterly  he 
felt  can  be  easily  conceived,  when  he  turned  upon  van 
Kensselaer  and  emphasized: — (Stone's  "Brant,"  II.,  124- 
5,  &c.)  Colonel  Stone  remarks,  "other  accounts  speak  dif- 
ferently." (lUd,  II.,  122.) 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  cxlv 

Gen.  Sir  Frederick  Haldiraand  wrote  to  the  home  go- 
vernment that  Sir  John  ' '  had  destroyed  the  settlements  of 
Schoharie  and  Stone  Arabia,  and  laid  waste  a  large  extent 
of  country,"  which  was  most  true.  It  was  added  : 

"He  had  several  engagements  with  the  enemy,  in  which 
he  came  off  victorious.  In  one  of  them,  near  Stone  Arabia, 
he  killed  a  Col.  Brown,  a  notorious  and  active  rebel,  with 
about  one  hundred  officers  and  men."  "  I  cannot  finish 
without  expressing  to  your  Lordship  the  perfect  satisfaction 
which  I  have  from  the  zeal,  spirit  and  activity  with  which 
Sir  John  Johnson  has  conducted  this  arduous  enterprise." 

Max  von  Eelking  (II. ,  199-200),  in  his  compilation  of 
contemporaneous  observations,  presents  the  following  tes- 
timony of  the  judgment  and  reliability  of  the  superior,  Gen. 
Haldimand,  who  reported,  officially,  in  such  flattering 
terms  of  the  result  of  Sir  John's  expedition.  He  says  of 
Haldimand  that  "he  passed,  according  to  English  ideas, 
for  one  of  the  best  and  most  trustworthy  of  British  gene- 
rals; had  fought  with  distinction  during  the  Seven  Years' 
War  in  Germany.  *  *  *  He  was  a  man  strictly  up- 
right, kind-hearted  and  honorable.  *  *  *  Always  of 
a  character  quite  formal  and  punctilious  as  to  etiquette,  he 
was  very  fastidious  in  his  intercourse,  and  did  not  easily 
make  new  acquaintances.  *  *  *  He  required  continual 
activity  from  his  subordinates.  *  *  *  A  Brunswick 
officer  considers  him  one  of  the  most  worthy  officers  Eng- 
land has  ever  had.  *  *  *  This  was  about  the  charac- 
ter of  the  man  to  whom  now  the  fate  of  the  Canadas  was 
intrusted  by  his  Britannic  Majesty." 


cxlvi  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

It  now  seems  a  fitting  time  to  consider  the  number  of 
the  opposing  forces  engaged.  There  has  been  a  studied 
attempt  to  appreciate  those  present  under  Sir  John  and  to 
depreciate  those  at  the  disposal  of  Yan  Rensselaer.  The 
same  holds  good  with  regard  to  the  losses  of  the  former  ; 
whereas  the  casualties  suffered  by  the  latter  are  studiously 
concealed.  No  two  works  agree  in  regard  to  the  column 
led  by  Johnson.  It  has  been  estimated  even  as  high  as  1500, 
whereas  a  critical  examination  of  its  component  parts  de- 
monstrates that  it  could  not  have  comprised  much  more 
than  a  third  of  this  number  at  the  outset.  As  all  Sir  John's 
papers  were  lost  in  the  Egyptian  darkness  of  the  night  of 
the  19th  October,  it  is  necessary  to  fall  back  upon  contem- 
poraneous works  for  every  detail. 

The  product  of  this  calculation  exactly  agrees  with  the 
statement  embodied  in  the  testimony  of  Colonel  Harper  : 
"The  enemy's  force  was  about  400  white  men  and  but 
few  Indians.  The  post  from  Albany,  18th  October,  reported 
that  Sir  John's  party  were  "said  to  be  about  500  men 
come  down  the  Mohawk  River."  (Hough's  "Northern 
Invasion,"  122.) 

When  Sir  John  struck  the  Charlotte  or  Eastern  Susque- 
hanna  he  was  joined  by  several  hundred  Indians.  But  a 
quarrel  founded  on  jealousy — similar  to  such  as  was  the 
curse  of  every  aggregation  of  Scottish  Highland  tribes, 
even  under  Montrose,  Claverhouse  and  the  Pretender — 
soon  after  occurred,  and  several  hundreds  abandoned  him.* 
(Simm's  "  Schoharie  County,  399.) 

*  The  actual  composition  of  Sir  John  Johnson's  expeditionary  co- 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  cxlvii 

Great  stress  has  also  been  laid  on  Sir  John's  being  pro- 
vided with  artillery.  [The  American  general  did  have 
quite  heavy  guns  for  the  period  and  locality,  nine  pounders.] 


lumn  is  well  known,  however  often  willfully  misstated.  He  had  three 
companies  of  his  own  Regiment  of  "Royal  Greens,"  or  "Loyal  New 
Yorkers  ;"  one  company  of  German  Jagers  ;  one  company  of  British 
Regulars  belonging  to  the  Eighth  (Major,  afterwards  Colonel  A.  S.  de 
Peyster's)  King's  Regiment  of  Foot,  which  performed  duty  by  detach- 
ments all  along  the  frontier  from  Montreal  to  the  farthest  west,  and  in 
every  raid  and  hostile  movement — besides  detachments — a  company 
or  platoon  from  the  Twentieth,  and  (?)  also  from  the  Thirty-fourth 
British  Infantry,  and  a  detachment — sometimes  rated  by  the  Americans 
as  high  as  two  hundred  men — from  Butler's  Loyalist  or  Tory  Rangers. 
Sir  John  in  his  reports  of  casualties  mentions  these  all,  except  the  Twen- 
tieth Regiment,  and  no  others.  Figure  this  up,  and  take  sixty  as  a  fair 
allowance  for  the  numerical  force  of  a  company,  which  is  too  large  an 
allowance,  basing  it  on  the  average  strength  of  British  regiments  which 
had  seen  active  service  for  any  length  of  time  on  this  continent,  and 
six  times  sixty  makes  three  hundred  and  sixty,  plus  two  hundred,  gives 
five  hundred  and  sixty.  Deduct  a  fair  percentage  for  the  footsore  and 
other  casualties  inseparable  from  such  service,  and  it  reduces  his  whites 
down  to  exactly  what  Colonel  Harper  states  was  reported  to  him  by 
an  Indian  as  being  at  Klock's  Field. 

Colonel  W.  L.  Stone  ("  Brant,"  II.,  105)  specifies  three  companies  of 
Sir  John's  own  Regiment  of  Greens,  one  company  of  German  Jagers,  a 
detachment  of  two  hundred  men  (doubtful  authority  cited)  from  Butler's 
Rangers,  and  one  (only  one)  company  of  British  Regulars.  The  In- 
dian portion  of  this  expedition  was  chiefly  collected  under  Brant  at 
Tioga  Point,  on  the  Susquehanna,  which  they  ascended  to  Unadilla. 
Stone's  language,  "besides  Mohawks,"  is  ambiguous.  Sir  John  had 
few  Indians  left — as  was  usually  the  case  with  these  savages — when 
thay  had  "  to  face  the  music." 

Governor  Clinton  (Hough's  "  Northern  Invasion,"  154)  estimates 
Sir  Jo  hn's  force  at  seven  hundred  and  fifty  picked  troops  and  Indians. 
Very  few  Indians  were  in  the  fight  of  the  19th  October,  p.  M.  Other  cor- 
roborations  have  already  been  adduced.  Simm's  ("Schoharie  County," 
399)  says  that  Sir  John  left  Niagara  with  about  five  hundred  British, 
Royalist  and  German  troops,  and  was  joined  by  a  large  body  of  Indians 
and  Tories  under  Captain  Brant,  on  the  Susquehanna,  making  his  effec- 
20 


cxlviii  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

Close  study  exploded  this  phantasy  likewise.  That  he 
he  had  several  pieces  of  extremely  light  artillery,  hardly 
deserving  the  name,  with  him  as  far  as  Chittenango 


tive  force,  "  as  estimated  at  the  several  forts,"  one  thousand  men.  If 
this  estimate  is  credited  to  the  several  forts  who  were  "  panicky,"  the 
condition  of  their  vision  renders  its  correctness  unworthy  of  accept- 
ance. He  then  goes  on  to  say  that  several  hundred  Indians  deserted. 

The  strength  of  regiments  varied  from  three  hundred  and  under  to 
six  hundred  and  fifty.  It  is  well  known  that  some  American  regiments 
scarcely  rose  above  one  hundred  rank  and  file.  It  is  almost  'unani- 
mously  conceded  that  Harkheimer  had  at  least  four  regiments — if  not 
five — the  whole  comprising  only  eight  or  nine  hundred  men,  at  Oris- 
kany.  This  does  not  include  volunteers,  Indians,  &c.,  &c. 

General  van  Rensselaer,  judging  from  the  testimony  given  before 
the  Court  of  Enquiry,  and  his  own  letters  (Simms,  425,  &c.),  had  seven 
to  nine  hundred  militia  when  he  reached  Schenectady.  It  is  very  hard 
to  calculate  his  ultimate  aggregate  of  militia.  He  had  at  first  his  own 
Claverack  Brigade.  The  City  of  Albany  Militia  and  some  other  Regi- 
ments had  preceded  him.  Colonel  Van  Alstyne's  Regiment  joined  him 
by  another  route.  How  did  Colonel  Cuyler's  Albany  Regiment  come 
up  ?  Colonel  Clyde  reinforced  him  with  the  Canajoharie  District  Regi- 
ment (Tryon  County,  for  military  purposes,  was  divided  into  Districts, 
each  of  which  furnished  its  quota),  likewise  (Simm's,  425)  "  the  Scho- 
harie  Militia"  "  near  Fort  Hunter."  This  dissection  might  be  followed 
out  further  to  magnify  the  American  force,  and  show  against  what 
tremendous  odds  Sir  John  presented  an  undaunted  front,  and  what 
numbers  he  shocked,  repulsed  and  foiled.  Van  Rensselaer  was  after- 
wards joined  by  the  Continental  Infantry,  under  Colonel  Morgan 
Lewis ;  the  New  York  gtt<m-regulars  or  Levies,  three  or  four  hun- 
dred, under  Colonel  Dubois  ;  McKean's  Volunteers,  sixty  ;  the  Indians 
under  Colonel  Louis,  sixty  ;  John  Ostrom,  a  soldier  present,  adds 
(Simm's  "  Schoharie  County,"  424)  two  hundred  Indians  under  Colonel 
Harper,  the  Artillery  and  the  Horse.  The  Militia  of  Albany  County 
were  organized  into  seventeen  regiments  ;  of  Charlotte  County  into  one; 
of  Tryon  County  inte  five  ;  besides  these  there  were  other  troops  at 
hand  under  different  names  and  peculiarities  of  service.  It  is  certain 
that  all  the  Militia  of  Albany,  Charlotte  and  Tryon  Counties,  and  every 
other  organization  that  were  accessible,  were  hurried  to  meet  Sir  John, 
and  severe  Clinton  was  not  the  man  to  brook  shirking.  Twenty-three 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  cxlix 

Creek  is  true  (Hammond's  "Madison  County,"  656). 
Two  of  these  he  sunk  intentionally  in  this  stream,  or  else 
they  went  to  its  bottom  accidentally.  Thence  he  carried  on 
two  little  four  and  three-quarter  pounder  mortars,  prob- 
ably ' '  Royals, ' '  and  a  grasshopper  three-pounder.  As  our 
armies  were  well  acquainted  with  the  improved  Cohorns 
used  at  the  siege  of  Petersburg,  it  is  unnecessary  to  explain 
that  they  were  utterly  impotent  against  stone  buildings,  or 
even  those  constructed  of  heavy  logs.  The  Cohorns  of  1780 
were  just  what  St.  Leger  reported  of  them  in  1777 — that 
they  were  good  for  "teazing, "  and  nothing  more.  Even 
one  of  these  Sir  John  submerged  in  a  marsh  after  his  at- 
tempt upon  the  Middle  Fort,  now  Middleburg.  Clinton 
(157)  wrote  that  both  were  "concealed  [abandoned]  by 
the  Loyalists  on  their  route  from  Schoharie. ' ' 

Most  likely  it  was  an  impediment.  And  nothing  is  af- 
terwards mentioned  of  the  use  of  the  other.  The  "grass- 
hopper "  three-pounder  derived  its  name  from  the  fact  that 
it  was  not  mounted  upon  wheels,  but  upon  iron  legs.  It 
was  one  of  those  almost  useless  little  guns  which  were 
transported  on  bat-horses,  just  as  twelve-pounder  moun- 
tain howitzers  are  still  carried  on  pack  animals.  As  Sir 
John's  horses,  draught  and  beef  cattle,  appear  to  have 
been  stampeded  in  the  confusion  of  the  intense  darkness ; 


regiments  of  Militia  must  have  produced  twenty-four  hundred  men — a 
ridiculously  small  figure.  Add  the  other  troops  known  to  be  with  van 
Rensselaer,  and  he  faced  the  Loyal  leader  with  five  or  six  times  as  many 
as  the  latter  had  ;  or  else  the  Claverack  Brigadier  had  with  him  only  a 
startling  redundancy  of  field  officers  and  a  disgraceful  deficiency  of 
rank  and  file. 


cl  Engagement  near  Fotfs  Mills. 

almost  everything  which  was  not  upon  his  soldier's  per- 
sons, or  had  not  been  sent  forward  when  he  "  settled  '•'  at 
Klock's  Field  to  check  pursuit,  had  to  be  left  when  he  drew 
off.  The  darkness  of  the  night,  as  stated,  was  intensified 
by  the  powder  smoke  and  smoke  of  burning  buildings,  and 
the  bottom  fog  which  filled  the  whole  valley.  Under  such 
circumstances  small  objects  could  not  be  recovered  in  the 
hurry  of  a  march. 

The  Americans  made  a  great  flourish  over  the  capture 
of  Sir  John's  artillery.  The  original  report  was  compara- 
tively lengthy,  but  simply  covered  the  little  '  'grasshopper, ' ' 
fifty-three  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  a  few  necessary  im- 
plements and  equipments  for  a  piece,  the  whole  suscep- 
tible of  transport  on  two  pack-saddles.  Most  probably  the 
bat-horses  were  shot  or  disabled  or  "run  off"  in  the  melee. 

It  is  even  more  difficult  to  arrive  at  van  Rensselaer's 
numbers.  The  lowest  figure  when  at  Schenectady  is  seven 
hundred.  This  perhaps  indicated  his  own  Claverack  (now 
Columbia  County)  Brigade.  He  received  several  acces- 
sions offeree,  Tryon  and  Albany  County  militia  ;  the  dif- 
ferent colonels  and  their  regiments  are  especially  men- 
tioned, besides  the  quasi-regular  command — three  or  four 
hundred  (Hough,  one  hundred  and  fifty) — of  Colonel  Du- 
bois'  Levies  raised  and  expressly  maintained  for  the  defence 
of  the  New  York  Northern  Frontier;  Captain  M'Kean's 
eighty  Independent  Volunteers  ;  sixty  to  one  hundred  In- 
dians, Oneida  warriors,  under  Colonel  Louis  :  a  detachment 
of  regular  Infantry  under  Colonel  Morgan  Lewis,  who  led 
the  advance  (Stone's  "Brant,"  II.,  120):  a  company  or 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  cli 

detachment  of  artillery  and  two  nine-pounders,  and  a  body 
of  horsemen. 

Colonel  Stone,  writing  previous  to  1838,  says:  "The 
command  of  General  van  Rensselaer  numbered  about  fif- 
teen hundred — a  force  in  every  way  superior  to  that  of  the 
enemy."  It  is  very  probable  that  he  had  over  two  thou- 
sand, if  not  many  more  than  this.  Stone  adds  ( '  'Brant, "  II. , 
119):  "  Sir  John's  troops,  moreover,  were  exhausted  by 
forced  marches,  active  service,  and  heavy  knapsacks,  while 
those  of  Yan  Rensselaer  \vere  fresh  in  the  field."  Sir 
John's  troops  had  good  reason  to  be  exhausted.  Besides 
their  march  from  Canaseraga,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
they  had  been  moving,  destroying  and  fighting  constantly 
for  three  or  four  days,  covering  in  this  exhaustive  work  a 
distance  of  over  seventy-five  (twenty-six  miles  straight) 
miles  in  the  Mohawk  Valley  alone  (Hough,  152).  On  the 
very  day  of  the  main  engagement  they  had  wasted  the 
whole  district  of  Stone  Arabia,  destroyed  Brown's  com- 
mand in  a  spirited  attempt  to  hold  the  invaders,  and  actu- 
ally advanced  to  meet  van  Rensselaer  by  the  light  of  the 
conflagrations  they  kindled  as  they  marched  along.  Each 
British  and  Loyal  soldier -carried  eighty  rounds  of  ammu- 
nition, which,  together  with  his  heavy  arms,  equipments, 
rations  and  plunder,  must  have  weighed  one  hundred 
pounds  and  upwards  per  man.  Van  Rensselaer' s  Militia 
complained  of  fatigue ;  but  when  did  this  sort  of  troops 
ever  march  even  the  shortest  testing  distance  without  grum- 
bling? 

The  Americans  figured  out  Sir  John's  loss  at  9  killed, 


clii  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

7  wounded,  and  53  missing.  His  report  to  General  Hal- 
dimand  states  that  throughout  his  whole  expedition  he 
lost  in  killed,  whites  and  Indians,  9 ;  wounded,  7 ;  and 
missing,  48,  which  must  have  included  the  wounded  who 
had  to  "be  abandoned  ;  and  desertions,  3  ;  the  last  item  is 
the  most  remarkable  in  its  significance  and  insignificance. 
(Hough's  "Northern  Invasion,"  136.) 

How  the  troops  .on  either  side  were  drawn  up  for  the 
fight  appears  to  have  been  pretty  well  settled,  for  there 
was  still  light  enough  to  make  this  out,  if  no  more.  Sir 
John's  line  extended  from  the  river  to  the  orchard  near 
Klock's  house.  His  Rangers — Loyalists — were  on  the 
right,  with  their  right  on  the  bank  of  the  Mohawk.  His 
regular  troops  stood  in  column  in  the  centre  on  the  Flats. 
Brant's  Indians  and  the  Hesse-Hanau  Riflemen  or  Jagers 
were  on  the  left,  in  echelon,  in  advance  of  the  rest  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  in  the  orchard.  Yan  Rens- 
selaer's  forces  were  disposed  :  Colonel  Dubois  with  the 
Levies  (quasi-regular s)  on  the  right,  Whites  and  Indians 
constituting  the  central  column,  and  the  Albany  Militia  on 
the  left.  [Simm's  "  Schoharie  County,"  430.)  Not  a  single 
witness  shows  where  the  Contirientals,  Artillerymen  and 
the  Horsemen  took  position.  As  for  the  two  nine-pounder 
fieldpieces,  they  were  left  behind,  stuck  in  the  mud.  It 
was  a  toliu-^oJiu.  The  regulars  on  both  sides  behaved  well, 
as  they  almost  always  do.  With  the  first  shots  the  militia 
began  to  fire — Cuyler's  Regiment,  four  hundred  yards 
away  from  the  enemy — the  rear  rank  ran  over  and  into 
those  in  front,  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three  hundred 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  eliii 

yards  in  advance  (192),  then  broke  ;  all  was  confusion.  It 
does  not  appear  that  the  American  Indians  accomplished 
anything.  Colonel  Dubois'  New  York  Levies  ran  out 
Brant's  Indians,  and  got  in  the  rear  of  Sir  John's  line,  and 
then  there  was  an  end  of  the  matter.  (Simm's  "Scho- 
harie  County,"  429-30.)  It  had  become  so  dark  from  va- 
rious causes  that,  to  use  a  common  expression,  ' '  a  man 
could  not  see  his  hand  before  his  face." 

Yan  Rennselaer  had  now  enough  to  do  to  keep  the 
majority  of  his  troops  together,  and  retreated  from  one 
and  a  half  to  three  miles,  to  a  cleared  hill,  where  he  was 
enabled  to  restore  some  order.  The  stories  of  disorder 
within  Sir  John's  lines,  except  as  regarded  the  Indians,  are 
all  founded  on  unreliable  data ;  nothing  is  known.  When 
his  antagonist  fell  back,  he  waited  apparently  until  the 
moon  rose,  and  then,  or  pre viously,  forded  the  river  (just 
above  Nathan  Christie's — (Simms,  430) — and  commenced 
his  retreat,  which  he  was  permitted  to  continue  unmolested. 

It  is  amusing  to  read  the  remarks  and  reasoning  of  pa- 
triotic imagination  on  this  event.  "By  this  time,"  says 
the  Sexagenary,  "  however,  the  alarm  had  spread  through 
the  neighboring  settlements,  and  a  body  of  militia,  of 
sufficient  force  to  become  the  assailants,  arrived,  it  is 
said,  within  a  short  distance  of  the  enemy,  near  the  river, 
and  Sir  John  Johnson,  in  consequence,  had  actually  made 
arrangements  to  surrenders'*  [Mark  the  logical  military 
conclusion,  Sir  John  being  ready  to  surrender!]  The 
Americans,  however,  at  this  moment  fell  back  a  short  dis- 
tance [two  or  three  miles]  for  the  sake  of  occupying  a  bet- 


cliv  Engagement  near  Fotfs  Mills. 

ter position  during  the  night."  If  Sir  John  was  scared 
and  willing  to  give  up,  what  need  was  there  of  the  brave 
Americans  falling  back  at  all,  or  seeking  a  better  position  ? 
All  they  had  to  do  was  to  go  forward,  disarm  the  willing 
prisoners,  and  gather  in  the  trophies.  He  had  fought  a 
Cumberland  Church  fight  to  check  pursuit,  and  there  was 
no  Hnmphreys  present  to  renew  it  and  press  on  to  an  Ap- 
pomattox  Court  House.  He  had  accomplished  his  task  ; 
he  had  completed  the  work  of  destruction  in  the  Schoharie 
and  Mohawk  valleys.  There  was  nothing  more  to  be 
wasted.  Colonel  Stone  sums  it  up  thus  ("Brant,"  II., 
124)  :  "By  this  third  and  most  formidable  irruption  into 
the  Mohawk  country  during  the  season,  Sir  John  had  com- 
pleted the  entire  destruction  above  Schenectady — the  prin- 
cipal settlement  above  the  Little  Falls  having  been  sacked 
and  burned  two  years  before. "  French  observed  that  these 
incursions  left  ' '  the  remaining  citizens  stripped  of  almost 
everything  except  the  soil."* 

*  The  forces  of  Colonel  [Sir  John]  Johnson,  a  part  of  which  had 
crossed  the  river  near  Caughnawaga,  destroyed  all  the  Whig  property, 
not  only  on  the  south,  but  on  the  north  side,  from  Fort  Hunter  to  the 
[Anthony's  N.  T.  60]  Nose  (some  twenty-three  to  twenty-five  miles), 
and  in  several  instances  where  dwellings  had  been  burned  by  the  In- 
dians under  his  command  in  May  (1780),  and  temporary  ones  rebuilt, 
they  were  also  consumed.  *  *  *  After  Brown  fell,  the  enemy,  scat- 
tered in  small  bodies,  were  to  be  seen  in  every  direction  plundering 
and  burning  the  settlements  in  Stone  Arabia.  In  the  afternoon  Gene- 
ral van  Rensselaer,  after  being  warmly  censured  for  his  delay  by  Col. 
Harper  and  several  other  officers,  crossed  the  river  at  Fort  Plain,  and 
began  the  pursuit  in  earnest.  The  enemy  were  overtaken  [awaited 
him]  on  the  side  of  the  river  above  St.  Johnsville,  near  a  stockade  and 
blockhouse  at  Klock's,  just  before  night,  and  a  smart  brush  took  place 
between  the  British  troops  and  the  Americans  under  Col.  Dubois,  in 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  civ 

The  most  curious  thing  in  this  connection  is  the  part 
played  by  the  fiery  Governor  Clinton.  Colonel  Stone  ex- 
pressly stated,  in  1838,  that  he  was  with  General  van  Kens- 


which  several  on  each  side  were  killed  or  wounded.  Johnson  was 
compelled  to  retreat  to  a  peninsula  in  the  river,  where  he  encamped 
with  his  men  much  wearied.  His  situation  was  such  that  he  could 
have  been  taken  with  ease.  Col.  Dubois,  with  a  body  of  Levies,  took 
a  station  above  him  to  prevent  his  proceeding  up  the  river  ;  Gen.  van 
Rensselaer,  with  the  main  army,  below  ;  while  Col.  Harper,  with  the 
Oneida  Indians,  gained  a  position  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  nearly 
opposite.  [Why  did  they  not  guard  the  ford  by  which  Sir  John  crossed  ? 
They  were  afraid  of  him,  and  glad  to  let  him  go  if  he  only  would  go 
away.}  The  general  gave  express  orders  that  the  attack  should  be 
renewed  by  the  troops  under  his  own  immediate  command  at  the  rising 
of  the  [full  (between  10  and  11  p.  M.  ?)  (H.  N.  1. 55)  ]  moon,  some  hour 
in  the  night.  Instead,  however,  of  encamping  on  the  ground  from 
which  the  enemy  had  been  driven,  as  a  brave  officer  would  have  done, 
he  fell  back  down  the  river  and  encamped  THKEE  MILES  distant.  The 
troops  under  Dubois  and  Harper  could  hardly  be  restrained  from  com- 
mencing the  attack  long  before  the  moon  arose  ;  but  when  it  did,  they 
waited  with  almost  breathless  anxiety  to  hear  the  rattle  of  van  Rensse- 
laer's  musketry.  The  enemy,  who  encamped  on  lauds  owned  by  the 
late  Judge  Jacob  G.  Klock,  spiked  their  cannon  [the  diminutive  three- 
pounder  grasshopper  was  all  they  had],  which  was  there  abandoned  ; 
and,  soon  after  the  moon  appeared,  began  to  move  forward  to  a  fording 
place  just  above  the  residence  of  Nathan  Christie,  and  not  far  from  their 
encampment.  Many  were  the  denunciations  made  by  the  men  under  Du- 
bois and  Harper  against  Van  Rensselaer,  when  they  found  he  did  not 
begin  the  attack,  and  had  given  strict  orders  that  their  commanders 
should  not.  They  openly  stigmatized  the  general  *  *  *  but,  when 
several  hours  had  elapsed,  and  he  had  not  yet  made  his  appearance,  a 
murmur  of  discontent  pervaded  all.  Harper  and  Dubois  were  com- 
pelled to  see  the  troops  under  Johnson  and  Brant  ford  the  river,  and 
pass  off  unmolested,  or  disobey  the  orders  of  their  commander,  when 
they  could,  unaided,  have  given  them  most  advantageous  battle.  Had 
those  brave  colonels,  at  the  moment  the  enemy  were  in  the  river,  taken 
the  responsibility  of  disobeying  their  commander,  as  Murphy  had 
done  three  days  before,  and  commenced  the  attack «in  front  and  rear, 
the  consequences  must  have  been  very  fatal  to  the  retreating  army, 
21 


clvi  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

selaer  a  few  hours  before  the  fight,  dined  with  him  at  Fort 
Plain,  and  remained  at  the  Fort  when  van  Kensselaer 
marched  out  to  the  fight.  In  Col.  Stone's,  or  his  son  and 
namesake's,  "  Border  Wars"  (II.,  122),  this  statement  is 
repeated.  Clinton,  in  one  of  his  letters,  dated  30th  October, 
does  not  make  the  matter  clear.  He  says  (Hough,  151)  : 
"  On  receiving  this  intelligence  [the  movements  of  the  Brit- 
ish] I  immediately  moved  up  the  river,  in  hopes  of  being 
able  to  gain  their  front,  &c."  In  describing  the  engage- 
ment he  says,  "  the  night  came  on  too  soon  for  ?/«/"  and 
then  afterwards  he  mentions  "the  morning  after  the  action 

I  arrived  with  the  militia  under  my  immediate  command." 
This  does  not  disprove  Stone's  account.     Aid-Major  Lan- 
sing testified  before  the  court-martial  that  the  Governor 
took  command  on  the  morning  of  the  21st.     It  is  not  likely 
that  Governor  Clinton  would  have  found  it  pleasant  to  fall 
into  the  hands  of  Sir  John,  and  Sir  John  would  have  been 
in  a  decidedly  disagreeable  position  if  the  Governor  could 
have  laid  hands  upon  him.     There  was  this  difference, 
however  ;  Sir  John  was  in  the  fight  (Colonel  Dubois  wrote 

II  A.  M.,  the  day  after  the  fight  (Hough's  "Northern  In- 
vasion," 118).  Prisoners  say  Sir  John  was  wounded  through 
the  thigh)  which  he  might  have  avoided ;  and  the  Gover- 
nor might  have  been.     Anyone  who  will  consider  the  mat- 
ter dispassionately  will  perceive  that,  now  that  the  whole 
country  was  aroused,  and  all  the  able-bodied  males,  regu- 


and  the  death  of  Col.  Brown  and  his  men  promptly  revenged. — Jacob 
Becker,  a  Schoharie  Militiaman.  428-430  Jephtha  R.  Simm's  "  History 
of  Schoharie  County,"  1845. 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  clvii 

lars  and  militia,  concentrating  upon  him,  Sir  John  had 
simply  to  look  to  the  safety  of  his  command.  He  retreated 
by  a  route  parallel  to  the  Mohawk  River  and  to  the  south 
of  it,  passed  the  Oneida  Castle  on  the  creek  of  the  same 
name,  the  present  boundary  between  Madison  and  Oneida 
Counties,  and  made  for  Canaseraga,  where  he  had  left  his 
batteaux.  Meanwhile  van  Rensselaer  had  dispatched  an 
express  to  Fort  Schuyler  or  Stanwix,  now  Rome,  ordering 
Captain  Yrooman,  with  a  strong  detachment  from  the  gar- 
rison, to  push  on  ahead  as  quickly  as  possible  and  destroy 
Sir  John's  little  flotilla.  A  deserter  frustrated  Burgoyne's 
last  and  best  chance  to  escape.  Two  Oneida  Indians,  al- 
ways unreliable  in  this  war,  revealed  the  approach  of  Sir 
John,  and  by  alarming  saved  the  forts  in  the  Schoharie 
valley.  And  now  another  such  chance  enabled  Sir  John 
to  save  his  boats  and  punish  the  attempt  made  to  destroy 
them.  One  of  Captain  Yrooman' s  men  fell  sick,  or  pre- 
tended to  fall  sick,  at  Oneida  Castle  ("  Hist.  Madison  Co.," 
656,  &c.),  and  was  left  behind.  Soon  after,  Sir  John  ar- 
rived, and  learned  from  the  invalid  the  whole  plan.  There- 
upon he  sent  forward  Brant  and  his  Indians,  with  a  de- 
tachment of  Butler's  Rangers,  who  came  upon  Yrooman' s 
detachment  taking  their  midday  meal,  23d  November,  1780, 
and  "gobbled"  the  whole  party.  Not  a  shot  was  fired,  and 
Captain  Yrooman  and  his  men  were  carried  off  prisoners 
in  the  very  boats  they  were  dispatched  to  destroy. 

If  any  reader  supposes  that  this  invasion  of  Sir  John 
Johnson's  was  a  simple  predatory  expedition,  he  has  been 
kept  in  ignorance  of  the  truth  through  the  idiosyncrasies 


clviii  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

of  American  writers.  It  was  their  purpose  to  malign  Sir 
John,  and  they  have  admirably  succeeded  in  doing  so.  Sir 
John  Johnson's  expedition  was  a  part  of  a  grand  strategic 
plan,  based  upon  the  topography  of  the  country,  which 
rendered  certain  lines  of  operation  inevitable.  Ever  since 
the  English  built  a  fort  at  Oswego,  as  a  menace  to  the 
French  then  in  possession  of  Canada,  this  port  and  Nia- 
gara were  bases  for  hostile  movements  against  Canada. 
Pitt's  great  plan,  the  conquest  of  New  France  in  1759, 
contemplated  a  triple  attack :  down  Lake  Champlain, 
across  from  Oswego,  and  up  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  Bur- 
goyne  campaign  in  1777  was  predicated  on  the  same  idea : 
Burgoyne  up  Champlain,  St.  Leger  from  Oswego  down 
the  Mohawk,  and  Howe  up  the  Hudson.  Clinton's  plan 
for  the  fall  of  1780  was  almost  identical,  although  every- 
thing hinged  on  the  success  of  Arnold's  treason  and  his 
delivering  up  West  Point.  Clinton  himself  was  to  play 
the  part  Howe  should  have  done  and  ascend  the  Hudson. 
Colonel  Carleton  was  to  imitate  Burgoyne  on  a  smaller 
scale,  and  move  up  Champlain  to  attract  attention  in  that 
direction  ;  and  Sir  John  was  to  repeat  the  St.  Leger  move- 
ment of  1777,  and  invade  the  Mohawk  valley.  Arnold's 
failure  frustrated  Clinton's  movement.  Carleton  at  best 
was  to  demonstrate,  because  the  ambiguity  (or  consistent 
self-seeking)  of  Yermont  rendered  a  more  numerous  col- 
umn unnecessary.  As  it  was,  he  penetrated  to  the  Hud- 
son, and  took  Fort  Anne.  Haldimand's  nervousness  about 
a  French  attack  upon  Canada  made  him  timid  about  detach- 
ing a  sufficient  force  with  Sir  John.  Moreover,  the  British 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  clix 

regulars  M7ere  very  unwilling  to  accompany  this  bold  parti- 
san, whose  energy  insured  enormous  hardship,  labor  and 
suffering  to  his  followers,  to  which  regulars,  more  particu- 
larly German  mercenaries,  were  especially  averse.  Von 
Eelking  informs  us  of  this,  and  furthermore  that  a  terrible 
mutiny  carne  very  near  breaking  out  among  the  British 
troops  under  Johnson  in  the  succeeding  June,  when  Hal- 
dimand  proposed  to  send  Sir  John  on  another  expedition 
against  Pittsburg.  The  plan  of  the  mutineers  (von  Eel- 
king,  II.,  197)  was  to  fall  upon  the  British  officers  in  their 
quarters  and  murder  them  all.  The  complot  was  disco- 
vered, but  it  was  politic  to  hush  the  whole  matter  up, 
which  was  accordingly  done.  Doubtless  there  was  hang- 
ing or  shooting  and  punishment  enough,  but  it  was  in- 
flicted quietly.  These  were  the  reasons  that  the  invasion 
which  was  to  have  been  headed  by  Sir  John  Johnson  was 
converted  into  a  destructive  raid,  and  this  explains  why 
Sir  John  was  so  -weak-handed  that  he  could  not  dispose  of 
van  Rensselaer  on  Block's  Field  as  completely  as  he  an- 
nihilated Brown  in  Stone  Arabia. 

Finally,  to  divest  Sir  John  Johnson's  expedition  of  the 
character  of  a  mere  raid,  it  is  only  necessary  to  compare 
some  dates.  Arnold's  negotiations  with  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton came  to  a  head  about  the  middle  of  September.  It  was 
not  settled  until  the  21st-22d  of  that  month.  It  is  not  con- 
sistent with  probability  that  Haldimand  in  Canada  was 
ignorant  that  a  combined  movement  was  contemplated. 
To  justify  this  conclusion,  von  Eelking  states  (II. ,  195)  that 
three  expeditions,  with  distant  objectives,  started  from 


clx  Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 

• 

Quebec  about  the  "  middle  of  September," — the  very  time 
when  Clinton  and  Arnold  were  concluding  their  bargain  ;— 
the  first,  under  Sir  John  Johnson,  into  the  Schoharie  and 
Mohawk  vallies  ;  the  second,  under  Major  Carleton,  which 
took  Forts  Anne  and  George,  towards  Albany  ;  and  the 
third,  under  Colonel  Carleton,  reversing  the  direction  of 
the  route  followed  by  Arnold  in  1775. 

The  time  necessary  to  bring  Sir  John  into  middle  New 
York,  making  due  allowances  for  obstacles-,  was  about  co- 
incident with  the  date  calculated  for  the  surrender  ot  West 
Point.  Arnold  made  his  escape  on  the  25th  of  September. 
Andre  was  arrested  on  the  23d  of  September,  and  was  exe- 
cuted on  the  2d  of  October  following.  Major  Carleton 
came  up  Lake  Champlain,  and  appeared  before  Fort  Anne 
on  the  10th  of  October  (Hough's  "Northern  Invasion," 
L,  43),  Major  Houghton  (Ibid,  146)  simultaneously  fell 
upon  the  upper  settlements  of  the  Connecticut  Yalley ;  and 
Major  Munro,  a  Loyalist,  started  with  the  intention — it  is 
believed — of  surprising  Schenectady ;  but,  for  reasons  now 
unknown,  stopped  short  at  Ballston,  attacked  this  settle- 
ment on  midnight  of  the  16th  of  October,  and  then  retired, 
carrying  off  a  number  of  prisoners.  Such  a  coincidence  of 
concentrating  attacks  from  four  or  five  different  quarters 
by  as  many  different  routes  could  not  have  been  the  result 
of  accident.  Circumstances  indicate  that  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton was  first  to  move  in  force  upon  West  Point,  and  make 
himself  master  of  it  through  the  treasonable  dispositions  of 
Arnold.  This  would  have  riveted  the  attention  of  the 
whole  country.  Troops  would  have  been  hurried  from  all 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills.  clxi 

quarters  towards  the  Highlands,  and  the  whole  territory 
around  Albany  denuded  of  defenders.  Thus  it  was  ex- 
pected that  Sir  John  would  have  solved  the  problem  which 
St.  Leger  failed  to  do  in  1777.  Meanwhile,  the  Carletons, 
certain  of  the  neutrality  of  Yermont,  whose  hostilities  had 
been  so  effective  in  1777,  would  have  captured  all  the  posts 
on  the  upper  Hudson.  In  this  way  the  great  plan,  which 
failed  in  1777,  was  to  be  accomplished  in  1780.  Thou- 
sands of  timid  Loyalists  would  have  sprung  to  arms  to  sup- 
port Sir  John  and  Clinton,  and  the  severance  of  the  East- 
ern from  the  Middle  States  completed,  and  perfect  comnm- 
munication  established  between  New  York  and  Montreal. 
It  would  have  taken  but  very  little  time  for  Clinton  to 
double  his  force  from  Loyal  elements  along  the  whole 
course  of  the  Hudson,  as  can  be  demonstrated  from  re- 
cords, admissions  and  letters  of  the  times.  The  majority 
of  the  people  were  tired  of  the  war,  and  even  Washington 
despaired.  On  the  17th  October,  1780,  Governor  Clinton 
wrote  to  General  Washington  :  ' '  This  enterprise  of  the 
enemy  [Sir  John  Johnson]  is  probably  the  effect  of  Ar- 
nold"]s  treason.'"  On  the  21st  of  the  same  month  General 
Washington,  addressing  the  President  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  wrote  :  "  It  is  thought,  and  perhaps  not  with- 
out foundation,  that  this  incursion  was  made  [by  Sir  John 
Johnson]  upon  the  supposition  that  Arnold's  treachery 
had  succeeded'. ' ' 

If  Arnold's  treason  had  not  been  discovered  in  time, 
the  name  of  Sir  John  Johnson  might  stand  to-day  in  his- 
tory in  the  same  class  beside  that  of  Wolfe,  instead  of  be- 


clxii 


Engagement  near  Fox's  Mills. 


•*-*.        f*>    vl*   ^ 

A"'      '   i; 


ing  branded  as  it  has  been  by  virulence,  and  worse,  in 
many  cases,  by  direct  misrepresentation. 

"Success  is  the  test  of  merit,"  said  the  unfortunate 
Rebel  General  Albert  Sydney  Johnson — "a  hard  rule," 
he  added,  "  but  a  just  one."  It  is  both  hard  and  UNJUST, 
and  were  courage,  merit,  self-devotion  and  exposure  to  suf- 
fering and  peril  the  test,  and  NOT  success,  there  are  few 
men  who  would  stand  higher  to-day  in  military  annals 
than  Sir  JOHN  JOHNSON. 


*  if  /rr'*1-  ;.-f-"^ 
",.••*'  ,:"'' 

/' 


have  occurred,  not  only  among  Militia  and  Irregulars,  but  in  REGULAR 
Armies,  subjected,  in  appearance,  to  the  highest  state  of  discipline  and 
the  most  severe  of  military  codes.  These  panics  are  not  only  incom- 
prehensible, but  infinitely  more  disgraceful  than  the  worst  which  has 
been  attributed  to  Militia — even  American  Militia,  such  as  the 
KNOCK'S  FIELD  tohu-bohu  in  1780 ;  the  Bladensburg  Races  in  1814  ; 
and  the  dissolution  of  the  Union  forces  at  Bull  Run  I.,  in  1861. 
Nothing,  however,  can  approach  what  took  place  in  the  Austrian 
army  under  Joseph  II.,  in  1788.  It  almost  transcends  belief,  and  it 
might  be  deemed  incredible,  if  it  was  not  recorded  in  the  following 
language  by  the  veteran  French  Marshal  Marrnont,  Duke  of  Ragusa,  in 
his  "The  Present  State  of  the  Turkish  Empire,"  translated  by  Lt.-Col. 
Sir  Frederick  Smith,  K.  H.,  Royal  British  Engineers,  London,  1839, 
pp.  xx.-xxiv.,  "Introduction." 

"  At  Karansebes  (on  the  Temes,  50  miles  S.  E,  of  Temesvar,  just  8. 
of  the  Iron  Gates  Pass)  we  are  reminded  of  the  lamentable  catastrophe 
[Gust's  Annals  of  the  Wars,"  I.,  iv.,  29-30]  that  befell  the  troops  of 
Austria,  in  September,  1788,  near  this  place,  in  the  latter  wars  [1788-'90] 
between  that  power  and  Turkey. 

"Joseph  the  Second  afforded  on  this  occasion  a  remarkable  instance 
of  the  misfortunes  which  a  monarch  may  bring  upon  his  people  by 
overrating  his  qualifications  as  a  military  commander  ;  for,  though 
personally  brave,  he  seemed,  when  the  lives  of  others  depended  on  his 
decision,  to  be  deficient  in  that  moral  courage  and  presence  of  mind 
which  are  indispensable  in  a  general ;  yet  he  evinced  great  resolution, 
as  well  as  indefatigable  industry  in  conducting  the  civil  affairs  of  the 
state,  and  unquestionably  possessed  superior  talent.  His  political  acts 
have  been  the  subject  of  much  discussion  ;  how  far  they  may  be 
deserving  of  praise  or  censure  this  is  not  the  place  to  enquire  ;  but  it 
is  impossible  to  deny  that  the  views  of  this  monarch  were  directed  to 
promoting  the  welfare  of  his  country.  By  moving  in  advance  of 
public  opinion,  and  by  promptly  effecting  those  changes  in  the  national 
institutions  which  the  circumstances  of  the  times  seemed  to  demand, 
he  nipped  in  the  bud,  so  far  as  his  own  dominions  were  concerned,  the 
revolutions  that  threatened  Austria  as  well  as  the  rest  of  Europe. 
22— clxiii 


clxiv  Panics. 

"  In  1789  [1788  ?],  Joseph,  having  collected  together  80,000  men,  for 
the  purpose  of  attacking  the  Turks,  established  his  camp  near  Karans- 
bes.  The  Turks  w.ere  in  a  position  opposite  to  the  Austrian  army,  and 
so  placed  as  to  cover  the  province  of  Wallachia.  All  was  prepared  for 
the  attack ;  the  generals  were  assembled  in  the  tent  of  the  Emperor  to 
receive  their  orders,  and  everything  appeared  to  promise  success  to 
the  Austrian  army  ;  but  Joseph,  feeling  a  degree  of  disquietude 
respecting  the  result,  asked  Marshal  Lascy  if  he  felt  sure  of  beating 
the  enemy.  The  Marshal  replied,  as  any  sensible  [?]  man  would  have 
done,  under  similar  circumstances,  that  he  hoped  for  victory,  but  that 
he  could  not  absolutely  guarantee  it.  Unhappily  this  answer  so  dis- 
couraged Joseph  [where  were  his  own  resolution  and  brains  ?]  that 
he  immediately  abandoned  the  intention  of  attacking  the  Turks,  and 
»  resolved  to  retire  behind  the  Temes. 

"  The  plan  of  retreat  was  arranged,  and  the  army  was  formed  in 
parallel  columns,  the  infantry  being  placed  in  the  centre,  the  cavalry 
on  the  flanks,  and  the  baggage  in  the  intervals.  The  Austrians  com- 
menced their  march  at  midnight,  but  shortly  afterwards  Marshal 
Lascy,  discovering  I  hat  the  order  had  not  been  issued  for  withdrawing 
the  piquets  of  the  left  wing,  supplied  the  omission,  and  suddenly 
halted  the  main  body  to  wait  for  these  detachments.  [Something 
similar  occurred  on  the  night  of  15th  December,  1862,  when  the  left 
wing  of  the  Union  army  withdrew  from  before  the  Rebels,  after  the 
disastrous  failure  of  the  attack  of  the  13th,  preceding.]  The  word  of 
command,  to  '  halt,'  was  given  and  repeated  in  the  usual  manner ;  but, 
being  mistaken  for  the  word  'Allah,'  which  the  Turks  are  in  the  habit 
of  shouting  when  about  to  fall  upon  their  enemies,  many  of  the  Austrian 
troops  believed  that  they  were  attacked.  This  was  the  case  with  the  dri- 
vers of  the  tumbrils,  who,  seized  with  panic,  put  their  horses  into  a  trot, 
in  the  hope  of  escaping.  The  infantry,  supposing  the  noise  made  by 
these  carriages  to  be  caused  by  the  charge  of  the  enemy,  commenced 
firing  in  all  directions.  The  havoc  they  thus  created  in  their  own 
ranks  was  so  great,  that  no  less  than  10,000  men  are  said  to  have  been 
killed  or  wounded  during  the  darkness  of  the  night.  At  daylight  the 
mistake  was  discovered,  and  the  Austrian  army  then  retreated  to  the 
position  the  Emperor  had  intended  to  take  up  behind  the  Temes.  If, 
instead  of  giving  way  to  his  alarm,  Joseph  had  attacked  the  enemy,  it 
is  probable  that  he  would  have  obtained  possession  of  Wallachia  with- 
out losing  more  than  3,000  or  4,000  men.  As  it  was,  he  not  only  lost 
10,000  by  the  disaster  above  mentioned,  and  20,000  by  sickness,  which 
was  the  consequence  of  a  prolonged  occupation  of  an  unhealthy  tract 
of  country,  but  he  raised  the  courage  of  the  Turks,  and  thereby 
deprived  his  own  troops  of  the  confidence  they  had  previously  reposed 
both  in  him  and  in  themselves." 


The  preceding  pages  are  the  result  of  a  promise,  made 
in  haste  and  repented  at  leisure  ;  but  kept  to  the  letter,  as 
man's  word  of  honor  should  be,  at  whatever  cost  it  may  be 
to  him.  Reflection  soon  led  to  regret  that  the  pledge  had 
ever  been  given ;  because,  as  a  friend  wisely  observed, 
' '  the  people  of  this  country  have  sucked  in  fiction  as  fact 
with  their  mothers'  milk,  and  no  amount  of  reason  could 
reverse  the  verdict  of  success,  however  obtained."  No 
philosopher  believes  in  the  judgment  of  the  people,  so 
styled — the  people,  as  usually  understood,  are  the  simple 
dupes  and  pack  and  prey  of  the  bold  and  the  designing, 
who  possess  the  serpent  guile  of  pandering  to  their  lusts 
and  to  their  passions.  There  is  a  PEOPLE,  invisible  but 
influential,  running  through  every  portion  of  the  body  poli- 
tic, like  the  mysterious  sympathetic  nerve  on  which  vitaliza- 
tion  depends.  This  people  is  that  portion  of  the  community 
referred  to  when  Elijah  said,  "I,  even  I  only,  am  left ;"  and 
God  answered  that  he  had  reserved  to  himself  seven  thou- 
sand who  had  not  bowed  the  knee  to  Baal  nor  worshipped 
him.  Unfortunately  this  minority  entertain  opinions  which, 
for  their  own  preservation,  discretion  teaches  them  to  keep 
clxv 


clxvi  I,"*  Envoi. 

out  of  sight  as  much  as  possible.  They  are  like  the  Jews 
of  the  Middle  Ages,  who  had  to  conceal  their  riches, 
lest  the  people,  so  called,  by  violence  then,  by  votes  now, 
should  "go  for  them,"  make  a  raid  upon  their  dwellings,  and 
"  rabble  "  them.  Once  in  a  while  a  bold  exponent  of  the 
ideas  of  the  minority  comes  forward,  like  an  Arnold  of 
Brescia,  a  Savonarola,  a  Huss,  a  Zwingli  or  a  Luther,  and 
inaugurates  a  moral  revolution,  generally  with  fatal  and 
terrible  eifect  to  himself:  for  instance,  the  first  three  were 
burned  at  the  stake,  and  Zwingli  was  murdered  on  the 
battlefield.  Luther,  thanks  to  the  aegis  of  Providence, 
died  a  natural  death,  but  lived  long  enough  to  feel  the 
disgust  that  invades  the  bosom  of  every  able  and  true  man 
who  reaches  the  period  when  the  decay  of  the  bodily  facul- 
ties— that  is,  of  the  resistive  and  recuperative  powers — be- 
gins to  quench  the  hopes  and  illusions  which,  with  few 
rarely  continue  to  exist  when  the  downward  road  becomes 
rough  and  steep.  The  people,  so  styled,  the  masses,  are 
to-day  what  they  were  a  thousand,  yes  thousands  of  years 
ago,  the  obtuse  instruments  of  wicked  minds.  "Panem 
et  Circenses^  (Food  and  Pleasure)  was  and  is  and  ever 
will  be  their  watchword  :  their  bellies  and  their  eyes  ; 
in  our  days,  their  ears.  All  great  men  see  through  the 
utter  emptiness  of  popular  applause,  although  few,  like 
William  III.,  have  the  cold,  caustic  cynicism  to  express 
the  conviction  publicly.  When  the  mob  received  him 
with  cheers,  he  simply  remarked,  the  same  class  that 
cries  "Hosanna"  to-day  will  shout  "Crucify  him"  to- 
morrow. Bold,  bad  men,  with  serpents'  intellects  and 


L  "*  Envoi.  clxvii 

oily  tongues  or  versatile  pens,  like  our  successful  politi- 
cians or  popular  favorites  of  the  press,  conduct  or  excite 
the  ' '  many  headed ' '  at  their  pleasure.  The  verdict  of 
the  people,  "by  a  vast  majority,"  recalls  the  anecdote  of 
the  lamented  wit,  Arthur  Gilman,  recently  deceased,  in 
regard  to  Colonel  Yell,  of  Yellville,  a  member  of  one  of 
the  southwestern  legislatures.  The  Yellville  Bank  had 
gone  up  suddenly,  and  the  funds  had  disappeared  under 
the  receivership  of  the  said  colonel.  For  this  the  Hon- 
orable Kurnel  Yell  was  called  upon  for  an  explanation. 
In  a  speech,  as  involved  as  one  of  the  calculated  deceptive 
utterances  of  Cromwell,  the  colonel  furnished  no  clue  to 
the  disappearance  of  the  assets  of  the  Bank,  or  the  par- 
ticular pockets  into  which  they  had  eventually  found  their 
winding  way ;  but  he  covered  his  tracks,  and  awakened 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  Legislature  and  crowded  galleries  by 
a  hifalutin  (high-for-newton)  glorification  of  the  Stars  and 
Stripes  ' '  that  was  kalkerlated  to  stir  the  heart  of  the  most 
fastidious."  Pronounce  an  oration  or  write  a  book  or  ar- 
ticle thunderous  with  citations  of  the  ' '  patriot  sires ; ' '  shout 
out  or  italicize  "Bunker  Hill!  Old  Put!  Yalley  Forge  ! 
Brutal  Butchers !  Washington,  the  Father  of  his  Country ! 
Traitor  Arnold !"  and  "the  Captors  of  Andre,"  at  judicious 
intervals  ;  abuse  ' '  the  mother  country, ' '  multiply  -the  vir- 
tues which  do  not  exist  in  the  audience,  and  a  triumph  inevi- 
tably must  ensue.  Endeavor  honestly  to  tell  the  plain  un- 
varnished truth,  and  hold  the  mirror  up  to  nature,  and  the 
result  is  either  the  silence  of  contemptuous  might  or  incon- 
sequent stupidity,  or  a  storm  such  as  furnishes  the  speaker 


clxviii  L' Envoi. 

or  writer  with  a  full  realization  of  the  vulgar  but  expressive 
proverb  of  "  having  as  good  a  chance  as  a  specimen  of  the 
feline  genus  without  claws  in  the  dominion  of  Abaddon." 


The  preceding  pages  were  furnished  solely  to  oblige  a 
diligent  fellow-laborer  and  a  prospector  in  the  historical 
mining  wilderness  of  the  American  Revolution.  While  the 
writer  holds  himself  responsible  for  his  facts  and  opinions, 
he  wishes  it  to  be  perfectly  understood  that  he  has  nothing 
to  do  with  the  publication  itself  and  the  profits  of  the 
conjoint  work  of  W.  L.  STONE  and  of  himself.  The  pages 
numbered  with  letters  comprise  his  labors,  and,  having 
turned  them  over  to  MB.  STONE,  subscribers  must  consider 
that  the  writer's  responsibility  ends  then  and  there  and 
their  business  relations  are  altogether  with  the  Editor  of 
"  Sir  John  Johnson's  Orderly  Book." 


1776 


INTRODUCTION. 


N  December,  1776,  Burgoyne, 
dissatisfied  with  his  subordinate 
position  under  Carleton,  con- 
cocted with  the  British  Min- 
istry a  plan  for  the  Campaign 
of  1777.  An  army,  admirably 
appointed  and  under  his  command,  was  to  pro- 
ceed to  Albany,  by  way  of  Lakes  Champlain  and 
George ;  while  another  large  force,  under  Sir 
William  Howe,  was  to  advance  up  the  Hudson 
in  order  to  cut  off  communication  between  the 
Northern  and  Southern  Colonies,  in  the  expec- 
tation that  each  section,  being  left  to  itself, 
would  be  subdued  with  little  difficulty.  Con- 
temporaneously with  the  descent  of  Burgoyne 
upon  Northern  New  York,  Lieut.  Col.  Barry  St. 
Leger,  with  the  Loyalists  and  Indians  under  Sir 


b  Introduction. 

John  Johnson  and  Joseph  Brant  respectively, 
was  dispatched  by  that  general  from  Montreal 
by  the  way  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Lake 
Ontario  to  Oswego.  From  that  post,  St.  Leger, 
availing  himself  of  Oneida  Lake  and  Wood 
Creek,  was  to  penetrate  the  country  to  the 
Mohawk  river,  with  a  view  of  forming  a  junc- 
tion from  that  direction  with  Burgoyne  on  the 
latter's  arrival  at  Albany.  As  is  well  known, 
the  progress  of  Colonel  St.  Leger  was  stopped 
at  Fort  Stanwix  ;  the  advance  of  Arnold,  des- 
patched by  Schuyler,  compelling  him  to  raise 
the  seige  of  that  Fort  and  retreat  into  Canada — a 
circumstance  which  left  Schuyler  and,  later, 
Gates,  free  to  concentrate  the  American  forces  in 
opposition  to  the  advancing  army  of  Burgoyne. 
Conversing  in  the  fall  of  1880,  with  the  late 
Rev.  Marinus  Willett1  of  Port  Chester,  N.  Y.,  a 
grandson  of  Colonel  Marinus  Willett,  of  Fort 
Stanwix  fame,  he  mentioned  to  me  that  he  was 
the  possessor  of  a  manuscript  Orderly  Book 
kept  by  an  officer  of  Sir  John  Johnson  during 
his  campaign  against  Fort  Stanwix  in  1777 
— one  of  the  Orderly  Books  captured  by  his 
grandfather  in  his  memorable  sortie  from  Fort 

1  For  sketches  of  Rev.    Marinus   Willett,    and    Col.   Marinus    Willett,    see    ap- 
pendices Nos.  I  and  II. 


Introduction.  c 

Stanwix  against  the  camp  of  Sir  John  Johnson. 
The  facts  of  this  sortie  (which,  it  will  be  remem- 
bered, took  place  while  the  battle  of  Oriskany 
was  in  progress),  are  told  by  Col.  Willett  in  his 
Narrative  in  these  words — which,  as  the  book 
has  now  become  exceedingly  rare,  we  quote  : 

"  Col.  Willett  lost  not  a  moment  in  sallying  forth 
from  the  gate  of  the  fort.  As  the  enemy's  sen- 
tries were  directly  in  sight  of  the  fort,  his  move- 
ments were  necessarily  very  rapid.  The  enemy's 
sentries  were  driven  in,  and  their  advanced 
guard  attacked,  before  they  had  time  to  form 
the  troops.  Sir  John  Johnson,  whose  regiment 
was  not  two  hundred  yards  distant  from  the 
advanced  guard,  and  who,  himself,  it  being  very 
warm,  was  in  his  tent  with  his  coat  off,  had  not 
time  to  put  it  on  before  his  camp  was  forced. 
So  sudden  and  rapid  was  the  attack,  that  the 
enemy  had  not  time  to  form  so  as  to  make  any 
opposition  to  the  torrent  that  poured  in  upon 
them.  Flight,  therefore,  was  their  only  resource. 
Adjoining  the  camp  of  Sir  John  Johnson  was 
that  of  the  Indians.  This,  also,  was  soon  taken  ; 
so  that  a  very  few  minutes  put  Col.  Willett  in 
possession  of  both  these  encampments.  Sir  John 


d  Introduction. 

with  his  troops  took  to  the  river,  and  the  Indians 
fled  into  the  woods.  The  troops  under  Col. 
Willett  had  fair  firing  at  the  enemy  while  they 
were  crossing  the  river.  The  quantity  of  camp 
equipage,  clothing,  blankets  and  stores,  which 
Col.  Willett  found  in  the  two  camps,  rendered 
it  necessary  to  hasten  a  messenger  to  the  fort  and 
have  the  wagons  sent,  seven  of  which  were  stored 
in  the  fort  with  horses.  These  wagons  were 
each  three  times  loaded,  while  Col.  Willett  and 
his  men  remained  in  the  camps  of  the  enemy. 
Among  other  articles,  they  found  five  British 
flags  ;  the  baggage  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  with  all 
his  papers  ;  the  baggage  of  a  number  of  other 
officers,  with  memoranda,  journals,  and  orderly 
books,  containing  all.  the  information  which 
could  be  desired."1 

Mr.  Willett  agreed  with  me  that  the  contents 
of  the  Orderly  Book  should  be  put  into  perma- 
nent form  to  provide  against  its  loss  by  fire  or 
other  casualties ;  and  he  thereupon  kindly  loaned 
it  to  me  to  copy  and  publish  in  the  Magazine  of 
American  History.  The  Orderly  Book  was  ac- 
cordingly printed  in  that  valuable  publication  in 
the  March  and  April  numbers  for  1881,  though 


1  For  an   account    of   this    sortie    from   the    British    stand-point,    see     Appendix 
No.  III. 


Introduction.  e 

with  but  very  few  annotations,  as  neither  space 
nor  time  permitted  extended  notes. 

This  Orderly  Book  is  of  great  value  in  several 
particulars.  It  shows,  the  intimate  relation 
which  existed  between  the  campaign  of  Gen. 
Burgoyne  and  the  expedition  of  Col.  Barry  St. 
Leger  —  as,  for  example,  the  order  given  at 
Lachine  on  the  2oth  of  June,  that  the  officers 
under  St.  Leger  and  Johnson  should  send  their 
baggage  to  Albany  in  the  train  of  Burgoyne ;  it 
establishes  the  exact  number  of  men  engaged  in 
the  expedition  by  the  quantity  of  rations  issued 
and  the  boats  required,  by  which  we  find  that 
instead  of  St.  Leger  having  (as  has  always  been 
believed)  1700  men,  he  had  barely  950,  Indians 
included ;  it  states  the  names  of  the  detachments 
from  the  different  regiments  which  formed  the 
expedition,  by  which  we  learn,  among  other 
items,  that  Sir  John  Johnson's  regiment  never, 
in  a  single  instance,  in  this  Orderly  Book,  although 
elsewhere  invariably  known  as  such,  is  called  "The 
Royal  Greens;"  it  affords  the  means  of  knowing 
the  true  rank  held  by  different  officers — -as,  for 
example,  "  Major  "  Watts  is  never  spoken  of  save 
as  "  Captain';"  it  elucidates  a  mooted  question  as  to 


f  Introduction. 

the  rank  of  Lieut.  Col.  Barry  St.  Leger,  who 
was  made  an  acting  Brig.  Gen.  on  this  occasion ; 
and  it  develops  the  fact  that  possibly  a  part,  at 
least,  of  St.  Leger's  troops  joined  the  army  of 
General  Burgoyne,  after  that  officer  and  Sir  John 
had  retreated  into  Canada,  the  laughing-stock  of 
their  Indian  allies.  These,  as  well  as  many 
other  instances,  will  make  apparent  the  value  of 
the  Orderly  Book  to  the  student  of  our  Revolu- 
tionary annals. 

There  is  another,  feature  of  this  Orderly  Book 
which  has,  I  think,  a  touching  significance.  I 
allude  to  the  character  of  the  Paroles  and 
Countersigns.  A  glance  at  them  shows  that  they 
are,  in  many  instances,  the  names  of  towns  in 
Ireland,  Scotland  and  England — the  homes,  un- 
doubtedly, of  many  of  the  troops  composing  this 
Expedition  ;  and  there  can  be  no  question  that 
those  having  in  charge  the  selection  of  the 
Paroles  and  Countersigns  for  each  day,  took 
special  pains  to  designate  those  towns  which 
would  remind  their  men  of  the  loved  ones  they 

had  left  behind.  Coelum  non  animum  mutant  qui 
trans  mare  currunt.  This  action,  on  the  part  of 
the  officers,  very  likely  arose  from  policy  as  well 


Introduction.  g 

as  sentiment ;  for  one  can  well  imagine  that  the 
names  of  their  homes  would  vividly  bring  to  the 
minds  of  the  soldiers  those  who  across  the  broad 
Atlantic  were  watching  for  reports  of  their  pro- 
gress and  valor  —  thus  presenting  them  with  a 
constant  as  well  as  an  additional  incentive  to  do 
well.  Some  of  the  Countersigns,  moreover,  such 
as  "  Cork,"  "  Limerick  "  and  "  Kinsale  "  would 
naturally  bring  to  the  minds  of  the  men  of  the 
8th  or  King's  Regiment  of  Foot,  the  fact  that 
their  own  Regiment  was  present  under  William 
the  III,  at  the  beseiging  of  those  places  —  a  cir- 
cumstance which,  in  itself,  would  be  an  incen- 
tive to  great  deeds. 

The  Orderly  Book  is  written  in  many  different 
handwritings,  some  so  bad  as  to  be  nearly  unde- 
cipherable—  not  from  the  lapse  of  time,  for  the 
book  is  exceedingly  well  preserved  in  its  parch- 
ment cover  —  but  from  the  fact  that  some  of  the 
writers  evidently  spelled  by  sound,  and  were 
obliged,  amid  the  fatigues  of  camp  life,  to  take 
down  hurriedly  the  words  of  the  commanding 
officer.  Indeed,  the  wonder  is  that,  under  such 
circumstances,  anything  was  written  that  could 
be  at  all  deciphered.  It  should  be  further  stated 
that  while  the  general  spelling  and  the  names  of 


h  Introduction. 

towns  and  places  have  been  corrected,  the  varia- 
tions in  spelling  of  the  proper  names  of  persons 
have  been  in  nearly  all  cases  preserved.  It  will 
also  be  noticed  that  the  last  order  is  dated  at 
"  Oswego  Falls,"  the  3151  of  July,  1777,  two 
days  previous  to  the  advance  of  St.  Leger's  army 
appearing  before  the  walls  of  Fort  Stanwix,  and 
six  days  before  the  battle  of  Oriskany. 

Before  closing,  I  desire  to  acknowledge  the 
kind  assistance  which  has  been  given  me,  in  the 
way  of  suggestions,  by  my  old  College  mates 
and  friends,  Mr.  Franklin  Burdge  of  New 
York  city,  the  accomplished  author  of  "  Simon 
Boerum ;"  Mr.  Edward  F.  de  Lancey,  the 
scholarly  editor  of  "Jones's  History  of  New  York 
during  the  Revolutionary  War;"  General  John 
Watts  de  Peyster,  the  brilliant  military  critic  ;  and 
General  Horatio  Rogers  of  Providence,  R.  I., 
who  is  now  engaged  in  annotating  the  Manuscript 
Journal  of  Lieutenant  Hadden  of  the  Royal 
Artillery,  kept  by  him  while  an  artillery  officer 
in  Canada  and  under  Burgoyne.  General  Rogers 
brings  to  his  task  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of 
his  subject,  great  conscientiousness,  and  powers 


Introduction.  i 

of  thorough  research — traits  which  cannot  fail 
to  make  his  work,  when  published,  an  invalua- 
ble contribution  to  pur  Revolutionary  history. 

WILLIAM  L.  STONE. 

Jersey  City  Heights,  N.  J., 
May,  1882. 


KEY 

TO  THE  ABBREVIATIONS  IN  THE 

ORDERLY  BOOK. 


C.  (before  a  proper  name)  -     Countersign. 

C.  (in  a  guard  detail)  -     -       Corporal. 

D.  -------     Drum  or  drummer. 

G.  O.     -----     -       General  order. 

K.  R.  R.  N.  Y.      -     -     -       King's  Royal  Reg't 

of  New  York,  Sir 
John    Johnson's 


L.       -------  Lieutenant. 

P.  (before  a  proper  name)  -  Paroled. 

P.  and  Pt.  (in  a  guard  detail)  Privates. 

S.       -------  Sergeant. 


ORDERLY  BOOK 


FOR 


LIEUT.  COL.  SIR  JOHN  JOHNSON'S  COMPANY1 

1776-1777 


COL.  SIR    JOHN  JOHNSON'S  COMMAND 

AM'L  Street,  Sergt. ;  Sam'l  Moss, 
Sergt.  ;  John  Boice,  Sergt. ;  Mc- 
Grigor,  Sergt.  Corpl.  Crowse, 
Corpl.  McGrigor,  Corpl.  Russell, 

Corpl.  Cook,  Sergt.  Hillyer,  Corpl.  Smith,  Corpl. 

Campbell,  Sergt.  Andw.  Young,  Lieut.  Singleton, 

Ens.   Byrne,  Ens.  Crothers,  Ens.   CrofFord,   Ens. 

Hysted. 


1  ALTHOUGH  this  title  purports  to  be 
only  the  "  Orderly  Book  of  Sir  John 
Johnson's  Company "  (all  right  flank 
companies  were  considered  as  commanded 
by  colonels  as  honorary  captains  but  in 
reality  were  commanded  by  a  captain 
lieutenant  ranking  after  full  captains), 
yet  the  Book,  in  the  various  orders 
issued,  is,  of  course,  a  reflex  of  the  daily 
history  of  the  different  regiments  engaged 
in  the  Expedition.  These  may  be  clas- 
sified as  follows  : 


ist.  "The  34th  Regiment."  This 
was  St.  Leger's  own  Regiment.  It 
was  formed  in  1702  in  Norfolk,  Essex 
and  adjoining  counties  ;  and  the  date  of 
the  first  colonel's  commission  was  Feb. 
1 2th,  1702.  Its  uniform  was  red,  faced 
with  pale  yellow. 

-id.  "The  King's  Royal  Regiment  of 
New  York  "  otherwise  called  "  The 
Queen's  Loyal  New  Yorkers,"  "  Sir  John 
Johnson's  Regiment,"  and  unofficially  by 
contemporaneous  writers,  "  Johnson's 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


LA  PRAIRIE.' 

1776  4th  Novemr.    Parole,  London.     Counter- 
sign, Cork.     For  Guard  tomorrow  Lt.  Walker, 


Royal  Greens"  from  the  color  of  their 
coats.  All  Provincial  Regiments,  how- 
ever, were  originally  dressed  in  green,  and 
afterwards  in  red  like  regulars.  This 
Regiment  was  made  up  of  the  disaffected 
Tories  and  Loyalists  of  the  Mohawk 
Valley,  being  recruited  ch'iefly  from  Sir 
John's  friends  and  neighbors  ;  and  when- 
ever, in  the  Orderly  Book,  "  The  Regi- 
ment" simply  is  mentioned,  this  one  is 
alone  referred  to. 

3^.  A  portion  of  the  8th  Regiment, 
or  "  King's  Regiment  of  Foot,"  which 
was  stationed  in  detachments  along  the 
Western  Lakes  at  what  were  called  the 
Upper  Posts,  i.  e.,  those  the  most  remote 
from  Quebec,  such  as  Niagara,  Detroit, 
Michilimackinac,  etc.  For  a  sketch  of 
this  Regiment  see  note  in  advance. 

4-M.  "  Butler's  Tory  Rangers,"  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  John  Butler, 
a  brother-in-law  of  Sir  John  Johnson, 
and  who  with  his  men  had  lately  arrived 
a(  Oswego  from  Niagara  to  take  part  in 
the  Expedition. 

$tA.  One  company  of  the  "  Hanau 
Chasseurs,"  picked  riflemen  and  trained 
and  skillful  soldiers. 

6tA.  One  company  of  Canadians  carry- 
ing broad  axes  to  cut  roads  through  the 
woods  for  the  artillery.' 

1th.  The  Indians  composed  of  the 
Missisagues  (a  clan  of  the  Hurons)  and 
a  few  of  the  Six  Nations  under  the  im- 
mediate command  of  Col.  Daniel  Claus 
and  Joseph  Brant  (Thayendanegea). 

%th.  The  artillery  which  consisted  of 
such  pieces  as  could  easily  be  transported 
in  boats,  and  which  was  made  up,  accord- 
ing to  Col.  Claus's  letter  to  Secretary 
Knox  of  Oct.  1 6,  1777,  of  two  six 
pounders,  two  threes,  and  four  cohorns 
or  small  mortars,  especially  designated 
from  Whitehall. 

1  LA  PRAIRIE  de  la  Magdelaine  (Seig- 


niory) is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  the 
St.  Lawrence  in  the  county  of  Huntingdon, 
L.  C.  This  tract  was  granted,  on  the 
ist  of  April,  1 647,  to  the  Order  of  Jesuits 
whose  possessions  were  once  so  large  and 
valuable  within  that  province.  On  the 
death  of  the  last  of  that  order  settled  in 
Canada,  it  devolved  on  the  Crown,  to 
whom  it  now  belongs.  In  front  of  the 
Seigniory  is  the  village  of  La  Nativite  de 
Notre  Dame,  or  La  Prairie,  formerly 
called  Fort  La  Prairie  from  having  once 
had  a  rude  defence  thrown  up  to  protect 
it  from  the  surprises  or  open  attacks  of 
the  Iroquois  or  Six  Nations  who  pos- 
sessed the  country  in  its  vicinity.  Such 
posts  were  established  in  many  places 
in  the  early  periods  of  the  colony, 
while  the  Indians  remained  sufficiently 
powerful  to  resist  the  encroachments 
of  the  settlers.  At  present,  none  of 
them  retain,  either  in  Canada  or  the 
United  States,  a  vestige  of  their  ancienc 
form,  while  but  very  few  possess  even  the 
name  by  which  they  were  originally 
known.  The  position  of  La  Prairie  was 
at  this  time  extremely  favorable  for  mili- 
tary operations,  from  the  numerous  roads 
that  diverge  from  it  in  different  directions, 
and  particularly  on  account  of  its  being 
the  point  where  communication  could  be 
made  to  Montreal  and  thence  with  the 
main  road  leading  to  St.  John's,  and 
thence  again,  by  Lake  Champlain  to  the 
American  colonies.  This  was  the  route 
taken  by  Burgoyne.  Indeed,  from  its 
contiguity  to  the  line  of  boundary  sepa- 
rating Canada  from  the  United  States, 
this  part  of  the  district  was  fated  to  bear 
the  brunt  of  war  against  the  Lower  Pro- 
vince; and  in  1812,  a  British  corps  of 
observation  was  encamped  towards  the 
centre  of  La  Prairie  to  watch  the  motions 
of  Gen.  Dearborn,  who  had  there  assem- 
bled a  considerable  force  on  the  frontiers. 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book.  3 

2  Sergts,  2  Corporals,  i  Drumr  &  15  Privates. 
The  Kings'  Royal  Regt  of  New  York  to  hold 
themselves  in  Readiness  to  leave  this  Quarter 
Immediately. 

1776  7th  Nov.  P.  Lachine.  C.  Point  Clair. 
Major  Gray.1  Capts  Brown  &  Delly,  with  their 
Compns  to  march  off  Immediately  to  Point  Clair 
&  to  be  Quartered  as  follows :  The  Major  & 
Capt  Delly,  with  their  Companies  at  Point  Clair 
&  Capt  Brown  With  a  Detachment  of  a  Sergt 
and  ten  from  the  Cols  Cornpy,  a  Corporal  &  4 
Men  from  Capt  Watts  and  Capt  McDonald's 
Comps  to  be  at  St.  Anns,  the  Cols  Comps  and 
Capt  Watts,  together  with  the  Staff  to  be  Quar- 
tered in  the  Parish  of  Lachine  in  the  following 
manner.  The  (lower)  Capt  Watt's  in  the  Upper 
parts  of  the  Parish  of  Lachine.  For  Guard  to- 
morrow i  S.  i  C.  &  9  men.  Compns  duty  i  S. 
i  C.  5  P. 

LACHINE.2 

1776   8th  November.      P.   McLou.      C.  Phil- 

1  At  the  time  that  Sir  John  Johnson,  2  LA  CHINE,  one  of  the  nine  Parishes 
in  1776,  was  forced  to  fly  into  Canada,  into  which  the  island  of  Montreal  is 
Major  Gray,  then  lieutenant  of  the  42,d,  divided,  is  a  post-village  nine  miles  south- 
helped  to  raise  the  faithful  body-guard  of  west  of  the  city  of  Montreal,  and  is 
one  hundred  and  thirty  Highlanders  that  situated  directly  opposite  to  the  Caugh- 
accompanied  him.  Indeed,  throughout  nawaga  village.  It  is  built  on  a  fine 
this  Orderly  Book,  one  can  see  that  the  gravelly  beach,  at  the  head  of  Lake  St. 
name  "  Sir  John  Johnson's  Regiment"  Louis,  which  is  a  broatTpart  of  the  St. 
is  well  deserved  ;  for  its  colonel  evidently  Lawrence  River.  At  the  time  of  the 
chose  for  its  officers  those  of  his  friends  American  Revolution,  it  contained  very 
whom  he  knew  by  personal  experience  extensive  store-houses,  belonging  to  the 
were  staunch  and  could  be  relied  upon  King  of  Great  Britain,  in  which  were 
in  all  emergencies.  deposited  the  presents  for  the  Indians  as 


Johnson's   Orderly  Book. 


ips.  For  Guard  tomorrow,  i  Serg.  i  Corporal 
and  9  privates. 

1776  9th  Novmr.  P.  Carick.  C.  Cork.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow,  i  Corp  &  4  Privates. 

1776  loth  Novmr.  P.  Gray.  C.  Week.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Corp,  &  4  Privt.  It  is  the 
Commanding  officer's  ords,  that  Capt.  Watts's 
Comps  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  March  to 
Point  Clair  to  Morrow  Morning  at  9  o'clock 
where  they  shall  receive  provisions — Capt  Daly's 
Comp  are  to  Receive  Provisions  at  Lachine, 

1776  1 2th  November,  P.  Droghcda.  C.  Clon- 
mell.1  For  Guard  to  Morrow  i  Corpl.  &  4 
men.  The  Commanding  officer  desires  that  the 
men  assist  the  Inhabitants  in  whose  houses  they 
are  Quartered,  in  cutting  fire-wood  for  their  own 
use  this  winter. 


soon  as  they  were  received  from  England. 
It  is  the  centre  of  commerce  between 
Upper  and  Lower  Canada  ;  and  boats  for 
the  North-west  Territory  start  from  here. 
A  railroad  now  connects  La  Chine  with 
Montreal;  also,  a  canal  to  avoid  the  rap- 
ids of  St.  Louis.  It  is  a  place  of  con- 
siderable importance,  and  consists,  besides 
private  dwellings,  of  a  number  of  store 
and  ware-houses.  There  is,  also,  a  large 
dry-dock  for  the  repairing  of  the  bat- 
teaux. 

It  further  derives  importance,  in  this 
connection,  from  the  fact  that  Sir  John 
Johnson's  Regiment  was  concentrated  at 
La  Chine,  June  1st,  1777,  when  St. 
Leger  joined  it  with  the  detail  of  his 
own  regiment,  the  34th.  In  fact,  La 
Chine  was  the  rallying,  or  rather,  per- 
haps, the  starting  point  of  St.  Leger's 
Expedition,  as  the  detachment  of  the  8th 
did  not  join  St.  Leger  until  it  reached  a 


more  western  point,  probably  Oswego. 
Capt.  Rouvill's  company  of  Canadians 
joined  at  La  Chine  5  and  on  the  aist  of 
June  (as  appears  by  the  Orderly  Book)  St. 
Leger  left  La  Chine.  On  that  or  the 
next  day,  Jessup's  Corps  proceeded  (prob- 
ably by  water)  to  join  Burgoyne's  force, 
which  rendezvoused  at  St.  John's.  The 
Standard  of  England  was  hoisted  on  the 
"  Radeau"  (a  floating  battery  on  a  sort  of 
raft-like  vessel),  and  saluted  the  forts  and 
fleet  on  June  13  at  St.  John's  ;  and  on 
the  1 6th  the  fleet  slowly  started  up  the 
Richelieu  or  St.  John's  river,  being  joined 
on  its  slow  progress  the  first  few  days  by 
the  troops  that  were  to  take  part  in  Bur- 
goyne's Expedition.  It  will  thus  appear, 
that  St.  Leger  and  Burgoyne  got  off  prac- 
tically at  the  same  time  from  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Montreal. 

1  One    wonders    whether,    when     the 
names  of  u  Drogheda"  and  "  Clonmell" 


Johnson  s   Orderly  Book.  5 

1776  3ist  December.  P.  Howe.   C.  Carleton. 
For  guard  tomorrow,  I   Serg.  and  6  men.      Ens. 
Crawford    officer  of  the  day.     The  two    Com- 
panys  that  are  Cantoned  here,  to  hold  themselves 
in  Readiness  to  march  towards  Point  Clair  Thurs- 
day next  if  the  weather  permit. 

1777  4th  January.   P.  London.   C.  Edinburgh. 
For  Guard   tomorrow    i    Sergeant  &  6  privates. 
Ens.  Crawford,  officer  of  the  day. 

ORDERLY  Provost  M. 

The  Camp  Equipage  to  be  examined  &  kept 
in  good  condition — The  troops,  likewise,  will 
hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  on  the 
Shortest  Notice ;  they  are  frequently  to  be  as- 
sembled on  their  Regimental  Alarm-Posts,  & 
March  to  the  Alarm-Post  of  the  Brigade  when 

were  announced    to    the    troops,    as    the  the  Protector,  can    to-day    easily    be   dis- 

pass-words  of  the  day,  the   Irish    soldiers  tinguished  from  the    more    modern    por- 

recalled  the  fact,  that  those  two  towns,  a  tion,  by  its  masonry.      There  is,  also,  the 

little  more  than    a    century    before,    had  "  West    Gate"    which    yet    shows      the 

been  the  scenes  of  Cromwell's  most  bril-  marks    of      Cromwell's      bombardment, 

liant  victories  and  greatest  atrocities — and,  The  surrounding  country  is  beautiful    (as 

also,  whether    from    the    stand-point    of  I  can  testify  from  personal   observation) ; 

their  nationality,  they    remembered    that  and  on  the  river  Lair,   on    which    stands 

it  was  a  war  waged  by  the    "  Great    Pro-  the  town,  some  of  the    finest    butter    in 

tector"    against    their    freedom  !    and,   if  Ireland  is  made.      Clonmell,  also,  is    the 

so,  did  they,  as  they    lay    in    their    tents  capital     of     the      county    of    Tipperary 

that  night,  reflecting  on  the  order,    draw  which  is  remarkable  for    its    political  in- 

a  parallel  between  the  fact  that  their  em-  dependence  of  thought  and  action ;  many 

ployer  (England)  was  now  making  them  instances  having  occurred  where  citizens, 

the  instruments  for  subordinating  a    peo-  imprisoned    for    political    offences,    were 

pie,   also  struggling    for    their    liberties  ?  elected  to  Parliament  while  in  jail    with- 

The     town     of     Clonmell,     especially,  out  any  expense  to  them,  and  against  the 

should  have  re.called  these  things  to  their  combined  opposition  of  the  Government, 

minds.     That  town  still  bears  the  marks  landlords,  and  a  majority   of  the    priests, 

of  Cromwell's  siege.     The  old  castle  in  O'Donovan  Rossa,  for   instance,  was  an 

the  centre  of.  the  town,  which  for    eight  example  of  this  kind, 
days  successfully  resisted   the    cannon    of 


Johnson 's  Orderly  Book. 


the  Weather  will  permit — They  will  practice 
Marching  on  Snow-Shoes,  as  soon  as  they  receive 
them.1  Reports  are  to  be  made  by  all  the  Brit- 
ish to  Major  General  Philips,1  and  by  all  the 
Germans  to  Major  General  Riedesel  where  the 
alarm  Posts  are,  both  of  the  Regiments  and  the 
Brigades  in  order  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief — A  Statement  likewise  to  be 
given  in  of  the  Camp  Equipage — Reports  are  also 
to  be  made  to  the  Quarter  Master  Genl  at  Montreal 
from  each  Corps  of  the  Number  of  Boats  they 


1  This  practicing  on  snow-shoes  un- 
doubtedly originated  with  General  Ried- 
esel.  Indeed,  he  alone  of  all  the  gen- 
erals sent  out  by  the  mother  country 
seems  to  have  put  aside  tactics  fitted  only 
for  a  parade  in  Hyde  Park  or  for  maneu- 
vering on  the  plains  of  Flanders,  and 
adopted  such  drilling  as  would  best  suit  the 
changed  condition  of  affairs.  Indeed, 
during  the  time  Riedesel  was  in  Canada 
with  the  "  Brunswick  Contingent"  he, 
with  the  practical  strategy  and  acuteness 
of  observation  which  always  distinguished 
him,  had  employed  himself  in  drilling 
his  men  to  meet  the  style  of  fighting 
adopted  by  the  Americans.  Thus,  in 
one  of  his  letters,  he  writes,  "  I  per- 
ceived that  the  American  riflemen  al- 
ways shot  further  than  our  forces — con- 
sequently, I  made  my  men  practice  at 
long  range,  and  from  behind  bushes  and 
trees,  that  they  might  be  enough  for 
them."  Stone's  Life  and  Journals  of 
General  Riedesel. 

In  the  same  way,  as  will  be  seen  fur- 
ther on,  St.  Leger  insists  upon  his 
troops  employing  their  spare  moments  in 
practicing  at  a  mark.  Both  Riedesel 
and  St.  Leger  were  thus  only  anticipating 
Crccdmoor. 


2  Major  General  William  Phillips  was 
appointed  captain  of  artillery,  May  I2th, 
1756;  and  brevet  lieut.  colonel  in  1760. 
In  1776,  having  already  became  distin- 
guished as  an  artillery  officer,  and  given 
proof  of  exceptional  strategical  skill,  he 
was  appointed  major  general  in  Bur- 
goyne's  Expedition.  At  the  battle  of 
the  191)1  of  September,  1777,  he  greatly 
assisted  General  Riedesel  in  bringing  up 
his  command,  which  —  together  with 
Riedesel's  efforts — was  the  sole  means  of 
retrieving  the  fortunes  of  that  day.  In 
the  battle  of  the  7th  of  October,  1777, 
(fought  on  the  same  ground)  both  his 
aides  were  wounded;  and  he,  himself, 
shortly  after,  shared  the  fate  of  Bur- 
goyne's  army,  which  surrendered  to  Gates, 
Oct.  1 7th,  1777.  He  followed  the 
"  Convention  Troops"  to  Virginia;  and 
having,  meanwhile,  been  exchanged,  he 
was  sent  from  New  York  in  the  Spring 
of  1781,  with  2,000  men,  to  join  Ar- 
nold, then  at  the  Chesapeake.  He  did 
not,  however,  long  survive  his  misfor- 
tunes, as  he  was'carried  off  by  a  fever  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  May  13,  1781.  Ma- 
jor General  Phillips,  at  his  death,  held 
the  office  of  lieutenant  governor  of 
Windsor.  Stone's  Burgoyne,  Army  Lists, 
Auburcy's  Travels. 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


have  in   Charge,  specifying   their  condition    and 
how  furnished  with  Oars,  Setting-Poles,  &c. 
Signed,  E.  FOY,'  Depy.  Adjt.  General. 


1  Edward  Foy  received  a  commission 
of  first  lieutenant  in  the  Royal  Artil- 
lery on  the  zd  of  April,  1757,  and  be- 
came captain  lieutenant  on  the  1st  of 
January,  1759.  In  the  month  of  July, 
following,  as  a  captain  of  one  of  the 
British  artillery  companies  or  batteries, 
he  acted  with  such  bravery  at  the  battle 
of  Minden  as  to  be  specially  distinguished 
on  the  day  after  the  battle  by  the  com- 
mander-in-chief  in  his  address  to  the 
army.  He  was  promoted  to  a  captaincy 
in  February,  1764,  and  accompanied 
Lord  Dun  more,  as  his  private  secretary, 
to  New  York  in  1770,  and  went  thence 
with  his  Lordship  to  Virginia,  in  1772. 
Surte,  in  his  History  of  Virginia^  says 
that  Captain  Foy  "  resigned  his  office  as 
governor  of  New  Hampshire  for  the  pur- 
pose of  accepting  the  inferior  post  of 
private  secretary  to  Dunmore,"  and  attri- 
butes the  circumstance  to  "  some  latent 
purpose  of  the  British  Ministry  to  em- 
ploy his  talents  in  carrying  out  those 
measures  which  had  already  been  de- 
vised." O'Callaghan,  however,  thinks 
that  this  cannot  be  the  case,  as  Foy  was 
gazetted  lieutenant  governor  of  New 
Hampshire  only  in  July,  1774,  nearly 
two  years  after  his  arrival  in  Virginia, 
and  four  years  after  he  had  become 
Lord  Dunmore's  secretary.  During  his 
stay  in  that  colony,  Capt.  Foy  unfortu- 
nately shared  much  of  the  odium  that 
attached  to  the  governor,  with  whom  he 
retired  on  board  the  Fowey  on  the  8th 
of  June,  1775.  In  the  address  of  the 
House  of  Burgesses  on  the  I  gth  of  June, 
following,  they  accused  the  governor  of 
"giving  too  much  credit  to  some  persons 
who,  to  the  great  injury  of  the  com- 
munity, possessed  much  too  large  a  share 
of  his  Lordship's  confidence,"  alluding  to 
Capt.  Foy,  as  "  an  Englishman  of  vio- 
lent passions  acid  hostile  •  prejudices 


against  us,"  and  who  was  considered 
governor  de  facto.  The  Countess  of 
Dunmore  sailed  soon  after  and  arrived 
in  England  in  August,  1775,  Capt. 
Foy  returning  home  about  the  same 
time,  with  despatches  for  the  minis- 
try. In  the  Spring  of  1776,  however, 
he  returned  to  America,  in  the  ship 
Pal/as  as  commissary  of  the  troops  in 
Canada  j  and  in  the  same  year  was  ap- 
pointed Carelton's  deputy  adjutant  general, 
a  position  which  he  continued  to  fill 
until  his  death  in  Canada,  in  1780. 
Both  his  wife  and  himself  were  on  terms 
of  friendship  with  General  and  Mrs. 
Riedesel.  He  accompanied  Riedesel  to 
America  on  board  the  ship  Pallas,  both 
occupying  the  same  state-room.  The 
companionship  seems  to  have  been  mu- 
tually agreeable.  Speaking  of  their  ex- 
periences on  the  voyage,  Riedesel,  who 
preceded  his  wife  to  America,  writes  to 
her  as  follows  :  "  *  *  Near  all  were  sea 
sick.  The  cook  could  not  cook.  Muller 
could  not  dress  me.  Valentine  could 
find  nothing.  To  sum  up,  great  lamen- 
tation and  great  blundering  arose  on  all 
sides.  Hungry,  I  had  nothing  to  eat. 
Finally,  Captain  Foy  and  myself  cooked 
a  pea -soup  in  the  sailor's  kitchen,  and  eat 
cold  roast  beef,  which  made  up  our  whole 
dinner.  Monday  the  weather  was  some- 
what milder,  and  some  of  the  people 
became  better,  though  most  of  them  re- 
mained sick.  Captain  Foy  and  I  once 
more  cooked  a  portable  bouillon  soup,  a 
cod  with  anchovy  sauce,  a  ragout  from 
roast  beef,  and  a  piece  of  roast  veal  with 
potatoes.  On  Tuesday,  the  cook  still 
could  do  nothing,  and  Foy  and  myself 
again  did  the  cooking."  Capt.  Foy  was 
a  man  of  large  frame  and  of  a  powerful 
physique.  His  wife  was  an  American 
lady,  who  seems,  at  times,  to  have  caused 
her  husband  a  good  deal  of  annoyance  by 


8  Johnson's.   Orderly  Bock. 

GENERAL  ORDERS  BY  MAJOR  GENERAL 
PHILIPS 

MONTREAL  5th  December  1776 
Officers  coming  to  Montreal  upon  Leave  for  a 
longer  Time  than  two  days,  are  to  give  in  their 
Names  to  the  Adjt  of  the  week,  Marking  to  what 
time  their  leave  of  absence  extends,  &  by  whom 
given. 

Sign'd  Arr.  JAS.  POMEROY'. 


MONTREAL  i2th  December  1776 
Orders  received  from  his  Excellency  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  dated  Quebec,  9th  December, 
1776. 

The  Commander  in  Chief  [Carleton2]  has  been 

her  love  of  ease  and  unwillingness  to  in  America.  He  was  made  governor  of 

make  those  sacrifices  which  are  insepara-  Quebec,  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Bruns- 

ble  from  the  life  of  a  soldier's  wife.  Life  wick,  in  I786,in  which  year,  as  a  re- 

of  Gen.  Riedesel,  N.  T.  Col.  Doc.  ward  for  long  and  faithful  service,  he  was 

raised  to  the  peerage,  being  created 

1  Arthur  James  Pomeroy;  at  this  Baron  Dorchester 5  and  from  that  year 

time  captain  in  the  1st  Dragoons,  com-  until  1796,  he  was  governor  of  British 

missioned  captain,  Oct.  fth,  1776.  North  America,  his  administration  being 

marked  by  mildness  and  justice.  He 

2  Sir  Guy  Carleton  (Lord  Dorchester),  was  succeeded  in  his  title  and  estate  by 

He  was  born  at  Strabane,  Ireland,  in  his  eldest  son  Thomas.  As  Mr.  Lossing 

1722,  and  died  Nov.  10,  1808.  Enter-  very  justly  remarks  :  "  It  is  due  to  his 

ing  the  guards  at  an  early  age,  he  became  memory  to  say,  that  he  doubtless  was 

a  lieutenant  in  1748.  He  was  with  the  opposed  to  the  employment  of  savages 

Duke  of  Cumberland,  as  an  aide,  in  the  against  the  Americans."  He  was  cer- 

German  campaign  ;  and  servgd  with  tainly  a  very  humane  man.  as  his  great 

Amherst  and  Wolfe  in  America.  He  kindness  to  all  American  prisoners  proves, 

was  governor  of  Canada  from  1772.  to  His  paroling  and  taking  care  of  the 

1781,  though  Burgoyne  succeeded  him  Americans  captured  by  him  when  he 

as  military  leader  in  1777,  when  he  re-  defeated  Montgomery  and  Arnold  at 

ceived  the  order  of  knighthood.  In  Quebec,  is  but  one  of  many  instances  of 

1781,  he  succeeded  Sir  Henry  Clinton  as  the  same  character.  In  fact,  Gen. 

commander-in-chief  of  the  British  army  Carleton  was  one  of  the  best  generals, 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book. 


Pleased  to  appoint  Ensign  William  Doyle1  of  the 
24th  Regt,  To  be  Lieut,  in  the  room  of  Lieut. 
Robert  Pennington  deceased.  No  Adjutant,  Quar- 


as  regards  both  kindness  and  justice,  that 
the  British  Government  ever  had  in 
America.  He  was  truly  a  great  and  a 
wise  man.  Gen.  Carleton  was  on  warm 
terms  of  friendship  with  Joseph  Brant ; 
and  I  have  in  my  possession  letters  from 
Carleton  to  Brant  to  prove  this  state- 
ment— a  fact  which  in  itself  shows 
that  Brant  could  not  have  been  the 
"  monster"  that  he  has  been  painted, 

1  The  copy  of  the  British  army  list, 
which  is  in  the  Astor  Library  and  con- 
sists of  ninety  folio  volumes  (stilted),  has 
been  carefully  and  extensively  corrected  by 
the  pen  of  some  former  owner,  probably  a 
military  man  of  high  rank,  as  the  book- 
plate shows.  By  this  it  appears  that 
William  Doyle  became  ensign,  July  1 6, 
1774,  and  lieutenant,  in  place  of  Pen- 
nington deceased,  Nov.  27th,  1776,  Doyle 
was  wounded  at  Bemis  Heights,  Oct.  7, 
1777  5  and  being  afterward  captured  with 
Burgoyne,  his  signature  appears  attached 
to  the  Cambridge  Parole.  He  seems  to 
have  lived  to  a  good  age,  since  we  rind 
that  he  became  a  lieutenant  general,  Aug. 
1 2th,  1819.  It  is  quite  possible  that 
Doyle  was  with  St.  Leger  until  the 
latter's  retreat  into  Canada,  when  he 
left  him  to  join  Burgoyne.  We 
know  that  ic  was  the  intention  of 
Sir  John  Johnson  to  rejoin  the  British 
army  at  Saratoga  after  St.  Leger's  defeat 
(Col.  Claus  to  Minister  Knox),  though  for 
some  reason  which  does  not  appear,  he 
failed  to  do  so.  It  is  a  very  common 
thing,  for  an  officer  to  be  detached  from 
his  regiment  on  staff  duty.  Thus  Captain 
Edward  Foy  of  the  Royal  Artillery  (men- 
tioned in  the  text),  was  at  this  time  on 
detached  service  as  Sir  Guy  Carleton's 
deputy  adjutant  general.  Captain  Arthur 
James  Pomeroy  of  the  ist  Dragoons 
(also  mentioned  in  the  text)  was  on 


detached  service  as  an  aide  to  Gen. 
Phillips,  though  his  regiment  was 
not  in  Canada,  nor  America  during  the 
Revolutionary  war.  Other  familiar  illus- 
trations of  this  with  Burgoyne,  were  Major 
Kingston,  Burgoyne's  adjutant  general,  a 
brevet  major  and  captain  of  invalids  in 
Ireland ;  Sir  Francis  Clerke,  Burgoyne's 
secretary,  a  lieutenant  in  the  3d  Foot 
Guards  which  gave  him  the  army  rank 
of  captain,  owing  to  the  double  rank 
which  formerly  obtained  in  the  Guards; 
and  Richard  Rich  Wilford,  one  of  Bur- 
goyne's aides,  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  2d 
or  Queen's  Royal  Regiment.  A  mili- 
tary friend,  however,  does  not  take 
this  view ;  and  under  date  of  Jan.  22, 
1882,  writes  to  me  as  follows  : 

"  I  do  not  believe  that  William  Doyle 
was  with  St.  Leger,  at  all,  whether  he 
was  or  not,  the  24th  was  not,  as  that 
was  the  only  British  regiment  that  Bur- 
goyne had  the  whole  of  with  him.  For 
this  statement,  see  Lord  George  Ger- 
maine's  letter  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton  of 
March  26,  1777,  printed  in  The  State 
of  the  Expedition,  appendix  viii.  At 
the  foot  of  the  page  one  would  suppose 
that  the  8th  and  24th  Regiments  did 
not  accompany  Burgoyne,  and  were  ex- 
pressly ordered  out  of  or  to  be  exempted 
from  Burgoyne's  command.  This  is  true 
of  the  8th  but  not  of  the  24th  and  the 
error  is  in  the  brackets  including  more 
than  the  words  '  (except  of  the  8th  Regi- 
ment).' The  order  or  letter  should  have 
been  punctuated  thus: 

'  It  is  likewise  his  Majesty's  pleasure 
that  )ou  put  under  the  command,  of 
Lieutenant  General  Burgoyne 

The  grenadiers  and  light  infantry  of 
the  army  (except  of  the  8th  regiment) 
and  the  24th  regiment  as  the  advanced 
corps  under  the  command  of  Brigadier 
General  Fraser.'  Fraser  had  all  the  light 


io  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


ter  Master,  or  Surgeons  Mate  doing  duty  as  Such 
in  any  Regt  is  to  be  returned  a  Volunteer.  A 
bounty  having  been  granted  by  the  London  Mer- 
chts  to  Such  Soldiers,  or  Saylors  as  may  have  been 
wounded,  and  to  the  Widows  of  such  of  either 
as  have  been  kill'd  in  the  Service  In  America, 
the  Pay  Master  of  Regiments,  &  Captain  Shanks 


companies  /.  e.  the  light  infantry  and 
grenadiers,  of  all  the  British  regiments  in 
Canada  except  of  the  8th  or  King's  Regi- 
ment. Besides  the  light  companies  as 
above,  Fraser  had  in  his  brigade,  his  own 
regiment,  the  24th,  he  being  its  lieut. 
colonel.  The  300  men  spoken  of  higher 
up.  on  page  viii,  appendix  of  the  State  of 
the  Expedition,  were  drawn  from  the  6 
regiments  of  the  ist  and  2d  Brigades  as 
stated  at  the  foot  of  that  page.  Eraser's 
Brigade  was  not  numbered,  but  was  known 
as  the  Light  Brigade,  and  always  led. 
Besides  the  above  authority,  page  ix  of 
the  appendix,  State  of  the  Expedition, 
shows  exactly  what  regular  British  troops 
St.  Leger  had,  we  know  that  the  24th 
was  with  Burgoyne  and  that  no  part  of 
it  was  with  St.  Leger,  except  possibly  a 
single  officer  might  have  been  on  detached 
service,  as  it  is  called,  on  St.  Leger's 
staff,  St.  Leger  then  being  an  acting 
brigadier.  Of  this,  however,  I  see  no 
evidence  whatever,  and  the  reference  to 
William  Doyle  in  Sir  John's  Orderly 
Book,  does  not  furnish  the  least  possible 
authority  for  any  belief  that  Doyle  was 
with  St.  Leger.  That  reference  is  an 
order  from  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  the  British 
commander-in-chief  in  Canada,  issued 
Dec.  I2th,  1776,  more  than  two  months 
before  Lord  George  Germaine  issued  in 
London  his  order  to  form  St.  Leger's 
expedition,  as  Lord  George's  letter  of 
March  26th,  1777,  to  Sir  Guy  contained 
that  order.  The  troops  in  Canada  were 
then  lying  in  winter  quarters,  the  34th, 
St.  Leger's  Regiment,  being  at  Quebec, 


and  Sir  John  Johnson's  being  at  La 
Chine,  La  Point  Clair  and  St.  Ann 
[Lamb's  American  War,  p.  112].  The 
order  of  Dec.  1 2th,  in  Sir  John's  Orderly 
Book  is,  as  you  see,  signed  by  Sir  Guy's 
deputy  adjutant  general  and  is  transmitted 
through  the  head-quarters  of  Major 
General  Phillips,  and  being  the  order  of 
a  superior  authority  and  applying  to  all 
the  troops  in  Canada,  Sir  John's  Regi- 
ment was  as  much  amenable  to  it,  as 
any  and  all  other  regiments  serving  in 
Canada  under  Sir  Guy  were ;  and  hence 
it  appears  in  his  Orderly  Book.  Sir 
John  Johnson's  Regiment  did  not  leave 
its  winter  quarters  at  La  Chine  (that 
being  the  regimental  head-quarters)  till 
June  21,  1777,  when  it  started  on  St. 
Leger's  Expedition  with  fourteen  days 
rations.  [Sir  John's  Orderly  Book]. 
The  expression,  with  fourteen  days  rations, 
means  that  so  many  rations  had  been 
issued  to  the  regiment's  possession  by  the 
commissary,  the  rest  of  the  stores  and 
provisions  for  the  expedition  remaining 
in  the  hands  of  the  commissary  for 
future  issues. 

From  all  the  above  and  many  other 
authorities,  but  the  above  will  suffice,  I 
know  that  the  24th  was  not  with  St. 
Leger  at  all,  and  believe  that  Doyle  was 
not  with  him,  though  if  he  was  detached 
on  staff  duty  with  St.  Leger  that  would 
afford  no  sort  of  ground  for  supposing 
that  any  of  the  rest  of  the  24th  was  with 
St.  Leger." 

Pennington  was  commissioned  lieu- 
tenant, Feb.  loth,  1770. 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book. 


ii 


are  desired  to  transmit  to  Mr.  Dunn  Receiver 
General  of  the  Province  a  list  of  the  Soldiers  and 
Saylors  who  have  been  kill'd  or  wounded  in  the 
course  of  the  Campaign.1  Ten  Dollars  will  be 
paid  to  the  latter,  not  having  already  received  it, 
&  Five  Pounds  to  the  Widows  of  the  former, 
Producing  Certificates  from  the  Officer  Under 
whose  Command  their  Husbands  Respectively 
Served. 

Signd  E.   FOY 
Dept.  Adt.  General. 
By  order  of  Major  Genl  Philips 
Signd     Arr.  JAMS.  POMEROY, 

Aid  de  Camp. 


1  I  have  searched  in  vain  among  the 
archives  of  the  British  museum  and  the 
files  of  the  newspapers  yet  preserved  in 
London,  to  find  the  precise  date  and  the 
exact  words  in  which  this  ''bounty"  (or 
more  properly,  pension)  was  given  by 
the  "London  merchants."  Force's  arch- 
ives also  are  silent.  The  only  items 
which  are  at  all  germane  to  the  subject 
are  the  following  extracts.  The  first, 
from  the  Annual  Register  for  July  1 8th, 
1776,  is  as  follows  : 

"In  a  letter,  lately  received  by  the 
committee  at  the  London  Tavern,  ap- 
pointed to  conduct  the  voluntary  contri- 
butions in  favor  of  the  soldiers  serving  in 
North  America,  their  wives  and  children, 
from  the  officers  appointed  by  General 
Howe  to  conduct  it  on  the  spot,  is  the 
following  paragraph :  'This  Board,  as 
well  as  the  officers  and  soldiers  in  general, 
are  sensible  of  the  great  attention  which 
their  countrymen  have  shown  them  on 
this  occasion ;  and  we  flatter  ourselves 
that  the  future  operations  of  the  army, 
in  redjcing  the  deluded  inhabitants  of 


this  country  to  a  just  sense  of  their  duty, 
will  merit  their  approbation.  The  So- 
ciety may  be  assured  that  the  Board  will 
exert  themselves  to  render  their  benevo- 
lent designs  as  beneficial  as  possible,  and 
would  suggest  that  there  should  be  sent 
to  them  soap,  leather,  combs,  leggings, 
etc.' " 

This,  also,  from  the  Gentleman's  Mag- 
a-zine,  for  December,  1776  : 

"  On  Nov.  zzd,  the  magistrates  of 
Whitehaven  issued  an  order  offering  two 
guineas  bounty  for  every  able  sailor  that 
should  enter  voluntarily,  with  the  proper 
officer,  there  to  serve  the  Royal  Navy, 
in  which  they  were  followed  by  the 
gentlemen  of  the  town ;  so  that  every 
sailor,  who  enters  there,  will  receive  £9 
45.  The  corporation  of  Newcastle  have 
offered  the  same  bounty  with  that  of 
Whitehaven." 

And  again,  from  the  Middlesex  Jour- 
nal, London,  Nov.  23,  1776: 

"Canterbury,  Nov.  2Oth,  a  subscription 
is  set  on  foot  at  Tolpstone,  by  the  mayor 
and  principal  inhabitants  of  that  town, 


12  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

LACHINE 

1777  JAN  ist.  P.  Ireland.  C.  Scotland.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow,  i  Sergt  &  6  Prvt.  The  two 
Companys  of  the  Kings  Royal  Regt  of  New 
York  Cantoon'd  at  Lachine  to  parade  tomorrow 
morning  opposite  to  Mr.  Henis  [i.  e.  his  planta- 
tion] at  Seven  o'Clock,  fully  accouter'd —  The 
Guard  to  Mount  at  7  o'Clock. 

-5th.  P.  Patrick.  C.  Daly.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  Sergt,  &  6  Privts.  Ens  Byrne,  Officer 
of  the  Day. 

—6th.  P.  Ireland.  C.  Cromarthy.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  6  Prvts.  Lieut  Singleton, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 7th-  P.  Gray.  C.  Evalick.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  Sergt  &  6  Prvts.  Ens  Crothers,  Officer 
of  the  Day. 

-8th.  P.  Berwick.  C.  Tweed.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  S  &  6  P.  Ens  Crawford  Officer  of 
the  Day. 

— 9th.    P.  Tain.      C.  Dingwall.      For  Guard 

whereby  a  reward  of  40  shillings  is  offered  court    of   St.    James,   Jan.  3d,    1776,  for 

to   every    able    bodied    seaman,    and    20  encouraging  seamen  to  enter  themselves 

shillings  for  every  ordinary  seaman  over  on  board   his    Majesty's    ships    of   war," 

and  above   his   Majesty's   bounty,  to  such  and    also    (Force's    American    Archives, 

inhabitants    of   the    said    town    as    shall  4th  series,  vol.  iv,  p.  1468)  an  "order  in 

voluntarily    enter    themselves     into     his  council  at  the  court  of  St.   James,  28th 

Majesty's  navy."  Feb.,    1776,"    to    the   same   effect;   but 

In    Force's    American    Archives,    4th  have  little  or  no  bearing  on    this    partic- 

Series,  vol.   iv,   p.    543,   there    is    a    Pro-  ular  enquiry, 
clamation  by    the    King,  "given    at    our 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book.  13 

to  Morrow  i  S  &  6  P.     Lieut.  Singleton,1  Officer 
of  the  day. 

— loth.  P.  London.  C.  Weymouth.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  S  &  6  Privates.  Ens  Byrns, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

—  nth..  P.  New  York.   C.  Albany.   For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  S  &  6  men.     Ens.  Crothers,  officer 
of  the  Day. 

—  1 2th  P.  Edinburgh.  C.  Lieth,     For  Guard 
to   Morrow     i    S   &  6    men.        Ens    Crawford, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

— 1 3th.  P.  York.  C.  Boston.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  S  &  6  P  men.  Lieut  Singleton,  officer 
of  the  day. 

1 4th.  P.  Philadelphia.  C.  Charlestown.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow,  i  S  &  6  P  men.  Ens.  Byrns 
officer  of  the  Day. 

—  1 5th.  P.  Dublin.   C.  Belfast.     For  Guard  to 
Morrow,  i  S  &  6  P  men.     Ens  Crothers,  officer 
of  the  Day. 

1  George  Singleton  of  Montreal.   This  camps',  and,  no  doubt,  several  were  killed 

officer     was     a     lieutenant      in     Captain  in   crossing  the  river.      Upon  the  whole, 

Stephen     Watt's     company,     and     being  the  enterprise  was  successful  beyond  Col. 

wounded  in  the  battle  of  Orislcany,   and  Willett's    most    sanguine    hopes."      We 

carried  back   into   the   Indian  camp  near  are  sorry,  however,  for    the   fair   fame  of 

Fort    Stanwix,     was    taken    prisoner    by  this   officer,  that    he    should    have    been 

Col.  Willett  in  his  sortie  from  that  Fort,  guilty    of  an    act    of  shameful    cruelty. 

while  the   action    was    still    in    progress.  Moses    Younglove,    a    surgeon    of   Gen. 

Col.  Claus  to  Secretary   Knox,  N.  T.  Col.  Herkimer's    brigade   of  militia,  who  was 

Doc.     Speaking    of    this    sally,    Willett,  taken    prisoner    by   St.   Leger,    and  who, 

in  his    Narrative,  says :      "Several    pris-  moreover,   until    his  decease   at   Hudson, 

oners  were  brought  into  the  Fort,  among  N.  Y.,  about    1825,  was  a  gentleman  of 

whom  was  a  Mr.  Singleton,  a  lieutenant  high  standing,  is  authority   for  the  state- 

of  the  light  infantry  company  of  Sir  John  ment  that  "Lieutenant  Singleton,  of  Sir 

Johnson's  regiment.      A  few  Indians  and  John  Johnson's  regiment,  being  wounded, 

some  troops    were    found    dead    in    their  entreated  the  savages  to   kill  the   prison- 


14  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

—  i  6th.  P.  Tain.  C.  Dingwall.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  S  &  6  P  men.  Ens  Crawford, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

— i  yth  P.  Armagh.  C.  Galloway.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  S  &  6  P  men.  Lieut.  Singleton, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

-i  8th.  P.  Thurso.  C.  Week.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow,  i  S  &  6  P  men.  Ens  Byrns,  officer 
of  the  Day. 

-igth.  P.  Glasgow.  C.  Dumbarton.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  S  &  6  P  men.  Ens  Crothers, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

-2oth.  P.  Tillibody.  C.  Sterling.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  S  &  6  men.  Ens  Crawford,  officer 
of  the  Day. 

2 1  st.  P.  Perth.  C.  Lieth  For  Guard  to 
Morrow,  i  S  &  6  P  men.  Lieut.  Singleton, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

— 22d.  P.  York,  C.  Cadrous.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  S  &  6  men.  Ens  Byrns,  officer  of 
the  Day. 

ers,  which  they  accordingly  did,  as  nigh  of  occurrences  at  Fort  Stanwix,"  cited  by 
as  this  deponent  can  judge,  about  six  or  Burgoyne  in  his  defence,  in  which  the 
seven."  The  original  of  this  affidavit  writer  asserts  that  Sir  John  was  engaged 
by  Younglove,  is  still  in  the  office  of  the  in  the  action  at  Oriskany.  Willett's 
Secretary  of  State,  Albany,  N.  Y.  authority,  however,  for  his  statement, 
General  de  Peyster  and  Mr.  Edward  was  this  same  Lieut.  Singleton.  In  a 
F.  de  Lancey,  have  thought  that  Willett  letter  which  Willett  wrote  a  few  days 
was  wrong  in  his  statement  (see  quota-  after  the  sortie,  to  a  Hartford  newspaper, 
tions  from  the  Narrative,  in  the  "Intro-  dated  at  the  German  Flats,  on  nth 
duction  "  to  the  Orderly  Book,  and  of  August,  he  says  :  "One  of  the  prison- 
Appendix  No.  iii)  that  Sir  John  Johnson  ers  is  a  Mr.  George  Singleton,  of  Mon- 
was  in  his  camp  when  he  made  the  treal,  a  lieutenant  in  Captain  Watt's 
sortie,  and  in  proof  of  this  they,  among  company.  Mr.  Singleton  told  me  that 
other  things,  refer  to  St.  Leger's  account  Sir  John  Johnson  was  with  him  when 


Johnsons  Orderly  Book.  15 

—23d.  P.  Boston.  C.  Albany.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  S  &  6  P  men.  Ens  Crothers  officer 
of  the  Day. 

—24th.  P.  Fraser.  C.  Gordon.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  S  &  6  men.  Ens  Crawford  officer  of 
the  Day.  It  is  the  Commanding  officers  orders, 
That  the  Comps  Lying  at  Upper  Lachine  Do 
Duty  in  Conjunction  with  the  Two  Comps  of 
the  King's  Royal  Regt.  of  New  York  of  Lower 
Lachine. 

—25th.  P.  Montreal.  C.  Quebec.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  S  &  6  men.  Lieut  Singleton, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

—26th.  P.  La  Prairie.  C.  Lachine.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sert  &  6  Pmen.  Ens  Byrns, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

— 27th.  P.  Point  Clair.  C.  Inverness.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  6  P  men.  Ens 
Crothers,  officer  of  the  Day. 

—28th.  P.  London.  C.  Barnet.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Serg.  &  6  P.  Ens  Crawford,  officer 
of  the  Day. 

— 29th.  P.  Inverness.  C.  Nairn.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow,  i  Sergt  &  7  men.  Lieut.  Singleton, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

we  attacked  their  camp,  and  that  he  the  fight  was  still  going  on,  so  Sir  John 
thinks  he  ran  to  the  river."  But  both  may  also  have  returned  to  the  camp  for 
statements  may  be  correct ;  and  as  Sin-  some  purpose  at  the  same  time.  Indeed, 
gleton,  who  had  most  certainly  been  it  is  not  impossible  to  reconcile  both 
in  the  engagement  at  Oriskany,  was  views,  and  have  each  one  entirely  con- 
carried  back  to  the  camp  wounded  while  sistent  with  the  true  facts  of  the  case. 


1 6  Johnson  s  Orderly  Book. 

—30th.  P.  Dunkeld.  C.  Perth.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow,  i  Sergt  &  7  men.  Ens  Byrne,  officer 
of  the  day. 

— 3  ist.  P.  Burk.  C.  Patrick.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  I  Sergt  &  7  men.  Ens  Crothers  officer 
of  the  Day. 


LACHINE 

1777  February  ist  P.  New  York.  C.  Albany. 
For  Guard  to  Morrow  i  S  &  7  Men.  Ens 
Crawford,  officer  of  the  Day. 

— 2d.  P.  Fort  Hunter.1  C.  Johnstown.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  7  men.  Lieut. 
Singleton,  officer  of  the  Day. 

~3d.  P.  Tower  C.  St.  James.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow,  i  Sergt  &  7  Men  Ens  Byrnes.  Offi- 
cer of  the  Day. 

—4th.  P.  Norwich.  C.  Norfolk.  Ens  Grothers, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 5th.   P.    Invenshire.     C.    Inveraw.      Guard 

1  Fort  Hunter  (Indhn  name,  Dyion-  closed  an  edifice,  called  Queen  Anne's 
daroga)  now  in  Montgomery  Co.,N.  Y.,  chapel,  to  which  a  parsonage,  built  of 
was  built  at  the  mouth  of  the  Schoharie-  stone,  was  attached.  The  old  fort  was 
kill  during  the  French  and  Indian  war,  torn  down  at  the  beginning  of  the  rev- 
on  the  site  of  the  Lower  Castle  of  the  olution,  but  it  was  afterward  partially 
Mohawks,  which  was,  at  this  time,  the  restored  and  often  garrisoned.  "  The 
most  considerable  town  of  that  nation,  chapel,"  says  Lossing,  "  was  demolished 
It  was  scarcely  a  place  of  defence  being,  in  1820,  to  make  room  for  the  Erie 
in  fact,  only  a  wooden  building  palisadoed,  canal."  After  the  confiscation  of  the  prop- 
within  which,  besides  the  barracks,  were  erty  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  the  furniture 
some  thirty  cabins  of  the  Mohawk  In-  of  Johnson  Hall  was  sold  at  auction  at 
dians.  There  was  a  house  at  each  Fort  Hunter.  When  Mr.  Lossing  visited 
curtain,  and  the  cannon  at  each  bas-  the  place,  the  parsonage  was  still  standing 
tion,  were  from  seven  to  nine  pounders,  in  the  town  of  Florida,  half  a  mile  below 
It  had  no  ditch,  and  only  a  large  swing-  the  Schoharie  creek,  and  a  few  rods 
door  at  its  entrance.  The  palisades  en-  south  of  the  canal. 


'Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  17 

To  Morrow,  i  Sergt  &  6  Men.  For  Ens  Craw- 
ford Officer  of  the  Day. 

—6th.  P.  Tryon.  C.  Dunmore.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow,  i  Sergt  &  7  Men.  Lieut.  Singleton 
officer  of  the  Day.  It  is  Majr  Grays  ord's  that 
Patr  McDonell  of  Capt  Dalys  Corny  &  Dan'll 
Campbell  of  the  Colls  Compy  be  appointed 
Corp'ls  in  his  Compy. 

— 7th.  P.  Dalwhinnie.  C.  Dulnacardock.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow,  i  Sergt.  &  i  Corp.  &  6  Men. 
Ens  Byrns,  officer  of  the  Day. 

-8th.  P.  Bristol.  C.  Barth.  For  Guard  To 
Morrow,  i  Sergt  &  6  Men.  Ens  Crothers  Offi- 
cer of  the  Day. 

-9th.  P.  York.  C.Albany.  For  Guard  To 
Morrow,  i  Sergt  i  Corpl  &  7  Men. 

-loth.  P.  Schanactdy.  C.  TryppV,  hill.  For 
Guard  To  Morrow,  i  Sergt,  i  Corpl  &  7  Men. 
Lieut  Singleton,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

nth.  P.  Gilbart.  C.  Tice.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  Sergt.  i  Corpl.  &  7  Men.  Ens 
Byrns,  officer  of  the  Day. 

-i  2th.   P.   Mayrield      C.  Sachandaga.2     For 

1  Tribe's  Hill,  situated  20  miles  west  mentions  as  worthy  of  note,  that  on  its 
of  Schenectady  on  the  eastern  extremity  top  there  was  an  apple  tree  which  pro- 
of the  Caughnawaga  flats,  opposite  Fort  duced  apples  without  core  or  seeds. 
Hunter  or  the  site  of  the  "  Lower  From  its  top  a  fine  view  is  obtained  of  a 
Mohawk  castle."  It  was  named  after  few  hundred  acres  of  excellent  meadow 
one  of  the  different  tribes  or  families  of  which  was  formerly  the  seat  of  "  King 
the  Mohawk  nation  which  dwelt  upon  Hendrick,"  the  famous  sachem  of  the 
it ;  but  whether  it  was  the  Bear,  Turtle  or  Mohawks.  N.  T.  Col.  Doc.,  Jcptba  R. 
Wolf  tribe  is  uncertain.  It  was  first  set-  Simms  to  the  author. 
tied  by  families  from  Albany  in  172.5. 

Rev.  John  Taylor,  who  visited   the  Hill         "The  Sacandaga  river  one  of  the  two 

while    on     a    missionary    tour    in    1802,  chief  tributary  streams  that  flow  into  the 

3 


i8 


Orderly  Book. 


Guard  To  Morrow,  i  Sergt,  i    Corpl.  &  7  Men. 
Ens.  Crothers,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

—  i  3th.  P.  Fort  Stanwix.  C.  Oswego.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt.  i  Corpl,  &  7  Men. 
Ens  Crawford  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-i4th.  P.  Niagara.     C.  Fort  Dimber  [Dum- 


Hudson.  The  Sacandaga,  which  enters 
the  Hudson  at  Luzerne,  was  the  objec- 
tive point  with  Sir  John  Johnson  in  his 
raids  from  Canada  into  the  Mohawk 
valley.  His  course,  on  these  occasions, 
was  down  Lake  Champlain  to  Bulwagga 
bay  on  that  lake  ;  and  thence  to  Schroon 
Lake,  and  "  Crane  Mountain,"  in  War- 
ren Co.,  N.  V.,  whence  there  was  a  direct 
trail  to  the  Sacandaga  River.  In  this 
connection,  the  following  letter  to  Gen. 
de  Peyster  is  in  point. 

JERSEY  CITY  HEIGHTS,  Jan.  8,    1880. 

DEAR  SIR  —  In  reply  to  your  letter 
asking  for  some  particulars  in  regard  to 
Crane  Mountain  in  connection  with  Sir 
John  Johnson's  route  from  Eultoagga 
Bay  in  Lake  Champlain  to  Cherry  trolley, 
I  would  say  that  my  attention  was  first 
called  to  it  in  the  fall  of  1852,  while  on 
a  deer-stalking  expedition  in  the  Adiron- 
dacks,  by  an  old  hunter,  who  had  often 
been  surprised  at  such  evidences  of 
careful  military  work  in  places  where 
he  supposed  white  feet  had  never  trodden 
until  a  comparatively  recent  date.  A 
careful  examination  was  thereupon  un- 
dertaken by  me,  resulting  in  the  con- 
clusion that  Johnson's  raid  either  was  by 
no  means  so  precipitate  as  has  hitherto 
been  believed,  or  else  that  he  had  with 
him  a  skilled  engineer  with  men  under 
him  who  were  accustomed  to  work  with 
great  celerity. 

Although  the  road  is  now  overgrown 
with  bushes  and  scrub  timber,  yet  a  very 
little  observation  reveals  a  well  made 
corduroy  road  underneath  (still  in  excel- 


lent preservation),  with  the  gap  in  the 
forest  where  the  primeval  trees  were  cut 
down  for  the  road.  This  road,  coming 
down  from  the  valley  of  the  Bouquet 
and  Schroon  rivers,  meets  the  base  of 
Crane  Mountain  at  its  north-western  side, 
and  following  around  the  base  of  the 
mountain  leaves  it  on  its  south-eastern 
point,  and  goes  off  in  a  well  defined  trail 
to  the  Sacandaga.  Thence  crossing  that 
stream  it  is  lost  in  the  forest  in  a  bee  line 
to  the  Fish  House,  Johnstown,  and  the 
Cherry  Valley  settlement. 

It  is,  I  may  remark  here,  a  great  mis- 
take to  imagine  that  the  whites  were  the 
first  to  know  this  region — the  truth  being 
that  all  this  wilderness  was  as  well  known 
to  the  Iroquois,  not  to  speak  of  previous 
races,  as  one's  own  library  is  to  its  owner. 
Crane  Mountain  at  the  present  time  (not 
so  much  from  its  height,  though  it  is  a 
high  mountain,  as  from  its  peculiar  posi- 
tion in  the  Adirondack  chain),  can  be 
seen  from  any  direction  within  a  radius 
of  seventy  miles.  Crane  Mountain  was 
of  course,  as  prominent  a  landmark  in 
1780,  as  it  is  now;  and  in  descending 
from  the  valley  of  the  Schroon,  it  was 
undoubtedly  seen  and  seized  upon  as  a 
point  to  make  for,  on  Johnson's  way  to  the 
Sacandaga.  Indeed,  it  has  been  made  the 
base  of  the  trigonometrical  survey  of  the 
northern  section  of  New  York  State.  I 
am  sincerely  rejoiced  that  Sir  John  John- 
son has  at  length  found  so  able  a  de- 
fender as  yourself,  and  I  remain, 
Yours  cordially, 

WM.  L.  STONE. 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  19 

mer1 :]  For  Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt.  i  Corpl, 
&  7  Men.  Lieut.  Singleton  officer  of  the  Day. 
—  i  5th.  P.  Fort  Erie.  C.  Detroit.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow,  i  Sergt,  i  Corpl,  and  7  Men. 
Ens  Byrns  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-i  6th.  P.  St.  Anns1.  C.  Point  Clair.  For 
Guard  To  Morrow,  i  Sergt,  i  Corpl,  &  9  Men. 
Ens  Crothers  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-i 7th.  P.  La  Chine.  C.  Montreal.  For 
Guard  To  Morrow  i  Sergt,  i  Corpl  &  9  Men. 
Lieut.  Singleton,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-i 8th.  P.  La  Prairie.  C.  Long  He3.  For 
Guard  To  Morrow,  i  Sergt  i  Corpl.  &  9  Men. 
Ens  Byrns,  Officer  of  The  Day. 

-17th.  [Sic]  P.  Eden.  C.  Adam.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  Eight  men.  Ens 
Crawford  Officer  of  the  Day.  It  is  the  Com- 
manding Officer's  Orders  that  the  Guard  Shall 
Consist  of  one  Sergt,  &  Plight  private  Men  for 
the  future,  &  be  Removed  from  here  to  Lower 

1  This  fort  is   frequently   spoken  of  in  treal  than   to  Quebec.      On  the  east  side 
the  early  border  wars.      It  was  first  built  of'  the  river  St.  Anne,  and   near  the  St. 
in  1723,  and  was   situated    on  the   Con-  Lawrence,  is    the  village  of  St.   Anne,  a 
necticut    river  on   the   New    Hampshire  pretty  little  hamlet,  but  having  no  parti- 
side,  forty   miles   below   Charlestown,   or  cular  history  or  traditions. 

Number  Four. 

iLongueil,  a    parish   or    town    on    the 

2  Lower  Canada  was  originally  divided  right  or  south  bank  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 
into  four  districts,  viz.  :   Montreal,  Three  three  miles  from   Montreal,  was  granted 
Rivers,  Quebec  and  Gaspe,  in  the  second  to  the  Sieur  Charles  Le   Moine  de  Lon- 
of  which  lay  St.    Anne.      The  Seigniory  gueil  (father  of  Iberville   and    Bienville, 
of  St.  Anne,  three  quarters  of  a  league  and  the  successor  of  M.  de   Vaudreuil  in 
wide,  by  two  and  a  half  leagues  in  length,  the    government   of  Canada),    Nov.  3d, 
and  granted  to  M.  Lanaudiere,  Oct.  agth,  1 672.      Near  the  village,  was  the  ancient 
1672,  is  situated   on  the  south   bank  of  Fort  of  Longueil  (built  by  Baron  de  Lon- 
the  St.  Lawrence,  a  little  nearer  to  Mon-  gueil),  one  of  the  many   barriers   against 


2O  jfohnsons  Orderly  Book. 

La  chine  Where  the  King's  Stores  Are,  they  will 
keep  two  Sentries  by  Day  &  two  by  Night,  the 
One  over  the  Prisoners,  &  the  Other  at  the 
Kings  Stores. 

-i 8th.  [Sic]  P.  Howe.  C.  Fraser1.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow,  i  Sergt.  &  Eight  Men.  Lieut. 
Singleton,  Officer  of  the  Day.  It  is  the  Com- 
manding Officers  Orders  that  the  Officer  of  the 
Day  Visit  the  Guard  twice  Every  Day  &  Make 
a  Report  to  him  of  What  Ever  happens  Relative 
to  the  Service. 

—  1 9th.  P.  Johnson.  C.  Gray.  For  Guard 
To  Morrow  i  Sergt.  &  8  Men.  Ens  Byrns, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 2oth.  P.  Norwich.  C.  London.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Sergt,  and  8  Men.  Ens  Crothers, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

—2 ist.  P.  Phillips.  C.  Fraser.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Sergt.  &  Men.  Ens  Crawford, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

It   is  The  Commanding  officer's  Orders  that 

the  Iroquois,  and  a  military  centre  during  study,"  standing    behind    the   lower   half 

all  of  the  French,  English  and  American  of  their    doors,  the   upper   half   thrown 

wars.     Its  site  is  now  covered  by  a  well  open,    staring    into    vacancy.     Longueil, 

built  church.     On  landing  in  the  village  formerly  in  the  county  of  Kent,  is  now 

from    the  ferry-boat    on    which    he    has  the  chief  town  of  the  county  of  Chambly, 

crossed  the  St.  Lawrence  from  Montreal,  and  is    the   summer    residence   of   many 

the  tourist  feels  as  if  he  had    been  sud-  Montrealers,  some  of  whom   have  hand- 

denly    transported    into     some    ancient,  some   dwellings  on   the  outskirts   of  the 

medieval    town    of    France,    to    which,  town.      Its  present  population  151,083. 
moreover,  had    been  added  all  the  pecu- 
liarities of  an  old  Canadian  town  ;  neat  as          r  Gen.  Simon   Fraser.  Fora  sketch  of 

a   pin  ;  grass   in  the  streets  and    in  the  this  gallant   officer  the   reader  is  referred 

court-yards  of  the  quaint  adobe  cottages;  to  Stone's  Burgoync's  Campaign,  and  Gen. 

and  the  people  either  going  quietly  about  Rogers's  Hodden's  Journal. 
their  business,  or,  apparently  in  a  "  brown 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  21 

the  two  Comp'ys  Quartered  here  March  to  Point 
Clair  To  Morrow  Morning  at  7  O'Clock.  The 
Non  Commissiend  Officers  will  be  Very  Carefull 
That  The  Men  Are  Clean  &  their  Armes  in 
Good  Order. 

— 22d.  P.  Whymendham.  C  Attleburrough-. 
For  Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Men.  Lieut. 
Singleton,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

—23d.  P.  Thotford.  C.  New  Market.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Men.  Ensign 
Byi  ns  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-24th.  P.  Strattford.  C.  Bow  Bridge.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Men.  Ens 
Crothers  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-25th.  P.  Norfolk.  C.  Suffolk.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Men.  Ens  Crawford, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

— 26th.  P.  Essex.  C.  Kent.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  men.  Lieut.  Singleton, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

z/th.  P.  Walker.  C.  Crothers.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  men.  Ens.  Byrns 
officer  of  the  day. 

-28th.  P.  Daly.  C  Watts.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  men.  Ens  Crothers  Officer 
of  the  Day. 

1777  MARCH  ist.  P.  India.  C.  Britain. 
For  Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Private  Men. 
Ens  Crawford  Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 2d.  P.  Tyron.     C.  Howe.     For  Guard  to 


22  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

Morrow    i    Sergt    &    10    Private    Men.     Lieut. 
Singleton,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 3d.  P.  Johnstown.  C.  Johnson.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  Men.  Ens 
Byrns,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 4th.  P.  Yorkshire.  C.  Hampshire.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  Private  Men.  Ens 
Crothers,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-5th.  P.  Exeter.  C.  York.  For  Guard  to 
Morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Pt.  Men.  Ens  Crawford, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

-6th.  P.  Halifax.  C.  Boston.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Private  Men.  Lieut 
Singleton,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-7th.   P.   Quebec.     C.  Three   Rivers1.     For 

1  Three    Rivers   is  a  town  of  Canada  Ottawa  rivers  and  on  the  nearer  lakes," 

East  at  the  confluence  of  the  rivers  St.  says  Weld,   "are  manufactured  at  Three 

Maurice  and  St.   Lawrence,  ninety  miles  Rivers,  and   in    the  vicinity  by   Indians, 

from   Quebec.     It  contains,  among  other  The  birch    tree  is    found   in  great   plenty 

churches,  a  large  Roman   Catholic  parish  near  the  town  ;   but  it  is  from  the  more 

church,  formerly  served  by  the  Recollets,  northern  part  of  the  country,  where  the 

or  Franciscan  Friars;  but  the  Order  is  now  tree  attains    a  very  large    size,    that    the 

extinct  in  Three  Rivers.     The   convent  principal  part  of  the  bark  is  procured  that 

of  St.    Ursule,    founded    by  M.     de    St.  canoes  are   made  with.  '  The    bark    re- 

Vallier,  bishop  of   Quebec,  in    1677,  is  sembles  in  some   degree   that  of  the  oak 

also  a  spacious  building.      The 'sisters  of  tree,  but  it  is  of  a  closer  grain,  and   also 

this    convent    particularly    excel    in    the  much  more  pliable,  for  it  admits  of  being 

manufacture  of  very  curious  bark-work,  rolled  up  the  same  as  a  piece  of  cloth. 

They  use  the  bark  of  the  birch  tree;  and  The  Indians  of  this    part  of  the  country 

with  it  they   make   pocket-books,  work-  always    carry    large    rolls    of  it  in    their 

baskets,   dressing-boxes,  etc.,  which  they  canoes  when  they  go  on  a  hunting  party, 

embroider  with  elk  hair  dyed  of  the  most  for  the  purpose  of  making  temporary  huts, 

brilliant  colors.     They  also  make  models  The  bark  is  spread  on    small    poles    over 

of  Indian  canoes   and   the   various    war-  their   heads,  and   fastened   with    strips  of 

like  implements  used  by  the  Indians,  all  elm-bark    (which  is  remarkably   tough) 

of   which  handiwork    they  sell,   for  the  to    stakes,  so    as   to    form   walls    on  the 

benefit    of  their   convent,  to    the    stray  sides."     Three   Rivers,  though  long  sta- 

tourist   who  chances  to   sojourn  in  their  tionary   as  regards    growth,   has  recently 

neighborhood.   "  Nearly  all  the  birch-bark  become  one  of  the  most  thrifty   places  in 

canoes  in  use  on   the   St.    Lawrence  and  the    province.       The    district    of  Three 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book.  23 


Guard  to    Morrow    i  S  &    10   Pri    Men.     Ens 
Byrns  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-8th.  P.  Sorel1.  C.  Chamblee2.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Priv't  Men.  Ens 
Crothers  Officer  of  the  Day. 

—9th.  P.  Montreal.  C.  Burgoyne.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow,  i  Sergt  &  10  Privt  Men,  Ens 
Crawford  officer  of  the  Day. 

-loth.  P.  Carleton.  C.Phillips.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Privt  Men.  Lieut. 
Singleton,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

—  iith.  P.  Johnson.  C.  Gray.  For  Guard 
to  Morrow  i  Sergt,  &  10  Privt  Men.  Ens  Byrns 
Officer  of  the  Day. 


Rivers  includes  both  sides  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  is  sub- divided  into  four 
counties.  The  village,  itself,  besides 
being  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  Canada, 
is  one  of  the  most  interesting  on  account 
of  its  historical  associations ;  it  having 
been  for  a  long  time  the  home  of  Nicolet 
(the  discoverer  of  the  Northwest),  while 
acting  as  interpreter  between  the  French 
and  the  western  tribes.  For  this  latter 
fact,  See,  Nicolcfs  Disco-very  of  the  North- 
west, by  C.  W.  Butterfeld. 

1  Sorel  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  of  the  same  name  (also  called  the 
Richelieu),  which  runs  from  Lake  Cham- 
plain  into  the  St.  Lawrence.  It  was  laid 
out  in  1787  ;  and  is  the  only  town  on 
the  St.  Lawrence,  between  Montreal  and 
Quebec,  wherein  English  is  the  chief 
language.  The  river  of  Sorel  is  deep 
at  its  mouth,  and  affords  good  shelter  for 
ships  from  the  ice,  at  the  breaking  up  of 
winter  ;  but  it  is  not  navigable  far  beyond 
the  town,  even  in  flat-bottomed  boats,  on 
account  of  the  rapids. 


2  Chambly  (the  Seigniory  of)  on  the 
River  Richelieu  or  Sorel,  and  in  the 
counties  of  Kent  and  Bedford,  L.  C.,  is 
three  leagues  in  length  by  one  in  depth 
on  each  side  of  that  river;  andwas  granted, 
on  the  29th  of  Oct.,  1672,  to  M.  de 
Chambly.  At  one  time,  this  valuable 
property  was  owned  by  five  persons, 
among  whom  were  Sir  John  Johnson  and 
Col.  de  Rouville,  the  latter  of  whom  is 
mentioned  in  the  text  towards  the  end  of 
the  Orderly  Book.  Sir  John  Johnson 
must  eventually  have  lost  the  benefit  of 
this  property,  since  he  was  in  very  poor  cir- 
cumstances in  the  latter  part  of  his  life. 
"  When  in  Montreal  shortly  before  Sir 
John  Johnson's  death,"  writes  to  me  Mr. 
Winslow  C.  Watson,  under  date  of  Feb. 
26,  1879,  "  Hon.  Dominick  Mondelet, 
then  a  leading  advocate  of  the  Canadian 
bar  and  afterwards  Judge  of  the  Queen's 
Bench,  assured  me  of  Sir  John's  extreme 
poverty,  and  that  he  was,  at  the  time, 
conducting  some  litigation  in  behalf  of 
the  baronet." 


24-  Johnson  s  Orderly  Book. 

1 2th.  P.  County  Tyron.  C.  Albany.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow,  i  Sergt.  &  10  Privt  Men. 
Ens  Crothers  Officer  of  the  Day. 

—  1 3th.  P.  Newcastle.  C.  Tweed.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow,  i  Sergt.  &  10  Privet  Men. 
Ens  Crawford,  Officer  of  the  Day.  It  is  the 
Commanding  Officers  Orders  that  the  Sergts, 
Corpls,  Drummers,  &  Private  Men  of  the  Kings 
Roy'l  New  York  attend  Exercise  to  Morrow 
Morning  At  Eleven  O'Clock — they  are  to  Meet 
at  the  post  above  Capt  Chenies1. 

—i  4th.  P.  England  C.  America.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  Men.  Lieut 
Singleton  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-i  5th.  P.  Ireland.  C.  Scotland.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  Men,  Ens 
Byrne  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-i6th.  P  Philadelphia.  C'.  New  York. 
For  Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Privt.  Men. 
Ens  Crothers  Officer  of  the  Day.  It  is  the  Com- 
manding Officers  Orders  that  an  Exact  Account  be 
taken  of  the  Clothing,  Shirts,  Shoes  &  Stockings 
&c  of  the  Men  of  Every  Comp,  &  the  Quantity  of 
them — an  officer  of  each  Comp  to  Attend  at  the 
time — &  that  the  Account  be  given  in  to  the 

Commanding  Officer  At   Point   Clair.     That  all 

• 

JAn  old  hunter,  and   a   descendant    of  named  after  him.     Lieut.  Cheney  owned, 

this  officer,  is  still  (1882)  living  in  a  log  at  one  time,  a  large  tract  of  land  in    the 

shanty  in  the  Adirondacks,  between    the  Adirondacks,  but  it  has  been  all  frittered 

Boreas  River  (a  stream  emptying  into  the  away  except  what  is  held  by   the    hunter 

Hudson)    and    Blue    Mountain    Lake —  above  named. 
"  Cheney  Lake,"  in    that  vicinity,  being 


's  Orderly  Book.  25 

the  Officers  for  the  future  Attend  Exercise  of 
the  Men  from  the  hour  of  Eleven  till  One  in 
the  Afternoon  if  the  Weather  Permit.  A  Court 
Martial  to  Sit  on  Wednesday  Next  to  try  Such 
Prisoners  as  may  be  brought  before  them. 

-i  7th.  P.  St.  Patrick.  C.  Chiloy.  For 
Guard  to  Morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  Men.  Ens. 
Crawford,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-i  8th.  P.  Lochaber.  C.  Kintail.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  men.  Lieut.  Singleton 
Officer  of  the  Day.  A  Regimental  Court  Martial 
to  Sit  to  morrow  at  12  o'Clock.  Lieut  Singleton, 
President.  Members,  Ens  Crothers,  Ens  Craw- 
ford. To  try  Such  Prisoners  as  may  be  brought 
before  them. 

^iQth.  P.  Barford.  C.  Melton.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt,  &  10  Privt  men.  Ens. 
Byrne  Officer  of  the  Day. 

—20th.  P.  Hatthersett.  C.  Eaton.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Privt  men.  Ens  Cro- 
thers, Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 2 1  st.  P.  Dareham.  C.  Yarmouth.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Privt  men.  Ens 
Crawford  Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 22d.   P.  Howe.     C.  Tryon.1    For  Guard  to 

1  The  words  "  Howe  and  Tryon  "  as  were  any  British  officers  more  blood- 
paroles  and  countersigns  were  fittingly .  thirsty  than  St.  Leger,  Howe  and  Tryon 
designated  by  St.  Leger,  a  man  who  re-  save,  perhaps,  Tarleton,  and  Cunningham 
sembled  those  generals  in  all  their  cruel  the  keeper  of  the  Liberty  St.  Sugar  House 
propensities.  Indeed,  we  much  doubt  if,  prison,  the  prototype,  by  the  way,  of  the 
during  our  revolutionary  struggle,  there  Richmond  Tobacco  House  and  Ander- 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  men.    Lieut.  Singleton 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 23d.  P.  Johnstown.  C.  Johnson.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt,  &  10  Pt.  men.  Ens 
Byrne,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 24th.  P.  Quebec.  C.  Orleans.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Privt  men.  Ens  Cro- 
thers,  Officer  of  the  Day.  A  Regtl  Court  Martial 
to  Sit  to  morrow  Morning  At  10  O'Clockat  the 
Commanding  Officers  Quarters.  Lieut.  Walker, 
President.  Ens  Crothers,  Ens  Crawford  Mem- 
bers, to  try  Such  Prisoners  as  may  be  brought 
before  them. 

— 25th.  P.  Albany.  C.  Boston.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  men.  Ens  Craw- 
ford, Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 26th.  P.  Amboy.  C.  New  York.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  men.  Lieut. 
Singleton,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

—27th.  P.  Philadelphia.     C.    Anapolis     For 


sonville.  The  query  arises  :  Were  these 
names  given  out  to  incite  the  troops  to 
cruelty,  as  were  other  paroles  and  coun- 
tersigns (see  our  Introduction)  designated 
as  incentives  to  valor  ?  William  Tryon 
had  figured  as  an  oppressor  in  1768—1771 
in  North  Carolina,  and,  becoming  gover- 
nor of  New  York,  which  he  held  when 
the  war  broke  out,  like  the  other  royal  gov- 
ernors, was  compelled  to  yield  to  popular 
indignation  which  (being  a  cruel  and 
narrow-minded  man)  he  retaliated  as  a 
military  leader.  It  was  he  who,  later  in 
the  war,  laid  Danbury,  Fairfield  and  Nor- 
walk  in  ashes,  when  there  was  positively 
nothing  to  be  gained  in  a  strategic  point 


of  view,  bythe  destruction  of  those  places. 
At  Fairfield,  for  example,  the  brutal  Hes- 
sians, to  whom  Tryon  gave  a  carte  blanche 
to  ravage  and  destroy,  excited  by  liquor, 
shamefully  and  cruelly  treated  the  women 
who  fell  into  their  hands,  whole  families 
being  "  driven  into  the  swamps  for  shelter 
against  their  infernal  lusts."  It  has  also 
been  asserted,  and  not  denied,  that  after 
the  battle  of  Long  Island,  Howe  allowed 
his  troops  and  especially  the  Hessians,  to 
tie  up  American  prisoners  and  use  them 
for  marks  to  fire  at !  the  excuse  being, 
that  "such  treatment  would  keep  the 
people  from  joining  the  rebel  army,  and 
thus  the  rebellion  would  be  sooner  ended ! " 


t  Orderly  Book.  27 

Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  men.  Ens 
Byrns,  Officer  of  the  Day.  It  is  Major  Gray's 
Orders  that  Officers  Commanding  Cotnp'nys 
Give  in  a  Regular  Return  of  different  Comp'nys 
Weekly  to  the  Quarter  Master  in  order  to  draw 
their  Provisions  According  to  said  Return ;  & 
When  a  Man  is  Absent  or  does  not  chuse  to 
draw  his  Rations,  the  Officer  of  th.  Comp'ny  to 
wich  he  belongs  is  to  Give  in  his  name,  at  the 
foot  of  Said  Return,  Mentioning,  if  Absent,  at 
what  Place,  the  Qr.  Master  is  to  Make  a  Monthly 
Return  to  the  Paymaster  of  the  number  of  Ra- 
tions for  Said  Month,  &  in  that  Return  Give  in 
a  List  of  the  Officers  &  Men  who  may  be,  or 
does  not  chuse  to  Draw  Provisions.  It  is  Major 
Gray's  Orders  that  the  Officers  Commanding 
Companys  will  Examine  the  Accounts  Given  in 
to  them  by  the  Quarter  Master,  for  making  the 
Mens  Clothing  &  other  Necessarys  furnished 
them,  &  if  there  .are  any  errors  in  Said  Account, 
to  furnish  the  Quarter  Master  with  an  Account 
of  them  in  Writing  Immediately. 

-28th.  P.  Fort  Erie.  C.  Detroit.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt,  &  10  Pri.  men.  Ens 
Crothers  officer  of  the  Day. 

-29th.  P.  Barnet.  C.  Hatfield.  For  Guard  to 
morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Pt.  men.  Ens  Craw- 
ford, Officer  of  the  Day.  the  Commission'd 
Non  Commis'd  officers  &  Private  men  of  the 
Kings  Royal  Regt'ment  of  New  York  to  be 


28  Johnsorfs  Orderly  Book. 

under  arms  the  3151  of  March,  Monday  Next  at 
Capt  Dalys  Quarters. 

— 3Oth.  P.London.  C.Middlesex.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  men.  Lieut.  Sin- 
gleton officer  of  the  Day. 

— 3 1  st.  P.  Limerick.  C.  Clonmell.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  loPt.  men.  Ens  Byrne 
Officer  of  the  Day. 


LACHINE 


1777  APRIL  i  st.  P.  Gray.  C.  Johnson.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  men.  Ens 
Crothers  Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 2d.  P.  Kinsbridge.  C.  Howe.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Pt  men.  Ens  Wall 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

-3d.  P.  Honduras.  C.  Goree.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Pt.  men.  Ens  Craw- 
ford Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 4th.  P.  Eraser.  C.  Phillips.  For  Guard  to 
morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  men.  Lieut.  Single- 
ton Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 5th.  P.  Montreal.  C.  Lachine.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pt.  men.  Ens.  Byrne 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 6th.  P.  Glasgow.  C.  Aberdeen.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Pt  men.  Ens  Crothers 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

— /th.  P.  Bristol.     C.  York.     For  Guard  to 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book.  29 

morrow   i   Sergt.  &   10  Pt.    men.      Ens    Wall, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

—8th.  P.  Wells.  C.  Lynn.  For  Guard  to 
morrow  i  Sergt.  10  Pt.  men.  Ens  Crawford 
officer  of  the  Day.  It  is  the  Commanding  Offi- 
cers Orders  that  the  two  Companys  Cantoon'd 
at  Lachine  Shall  be  Under  Arms  to  morrow 
Morning  At  eleven  o'clock  at  the  Commanding 
Officers  Quarters. 

—9th.  P.  Norfolk.  C.  Suffolk.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Pt  men.  Lieut.  Mor- 
rison Officer  of  the  Day.  A  Review  of  Arms 
Accoutrements  and  Necessaries  on  friday  at  Eleven 
O'Clock  as  the  Major  desires  that  the  men  from 
St.  Anns  Under  the  Command  of  Capt.  Brown 
be  sent  to  their  Companys  that  they  be  Provided 
in  time  with  Necessaries  to  take  the  field  when 
ordered,  &  Capt.  Brown  to  take  the  Light  In- 
fantry Comp'ny,  which  he  is  to  Compleat  Im- 
mediately from  the  Battalion  :  the  old  men  from 
Capt.  Watt's1  Compy  change  their  coats  with 

1  Captain   Stephen   Watts,  brother-in-  succeeded  in  crawling  to  a  brook   (Oris- 

law  of"  Sir  John  Johnson  and  fourth  son  kany  creek)  where,  by  slaking  his  thirst, 

of  Hon.  John  Watts  and  Ann  de  Lancey,  he  was  preserved  from  speedy  death ;   and 

was  born  in  New  York,  Dec.  24th,  1754.  in   the  course  of  two  or   three  days  was 

As  an  officer  in  Johnson's  Royal  Greens,  found  by  some  Indian  scouts,  and  brought 

he  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  in  into  St.  Leger's  camp. " 
which  action  "  he  was  severely  wounded         The  above  statement  was  taken  down 

and   left  on   the  field,  as  was   supposed,  from    the  lips  of  his  brother,  the   Hon. 

among  the  slain.    His  death  was  reported  John    Watts,    of    New    York,    by    the 

by    Col.    Willett    in   his    letter  to   Col.  writer's  father  the  late  Col.  William  L. 

Trumbull,    and     by    other    authorities.  Stone,   and    is    undoubtedly    the    correct 

Such,  however,  was   not  the  fact.     Re-  version.     Mrs.  Bonney,  however,  in  her 

viving  from  faintness  produced   by  loss  of  Legacy   of  Historical   Gleanings,   vol.    I, 

blood,  some  time    after    the   action,   he  p.  69,  gives  a  somewhat  different  account, 


30  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


those  from  other  Companys  who  shall  come  in 
their  places  ;  if  their  Coats  do  not  Answer  let  the 
wings  be  taken  off  &  given  to  those  that  come 
in1  ;  Capt.  Brown  to  fix  that  as  he  thinks  fit. 
Lieut.  Morrison  to  change  off  the  Colonel's 
Compy ;  Lt.  Singleton  off  the  Majors  &  Lt. 
McDonold  off  Capt.  McDonolds  Comp'y,  that 
they  may  be  no  farther  Disputes  in  Regard 
to  the  Officers  Ranks;  &  Left  by  Sir  John  a 
list  of  them  to  be  seen,  According  to  their  Ranks 
from  the  Adjutant  in  the  Regimental  Book. 

-loth  P.  Perth  Amboy.  C.  Elizabeth  Town. 
For  Guard  to  morrow  I  Sergt.  and  10  Private 
men.  Ens  Burn  Officer  of  the  Day. 


so  far,  at  least,  as  relates  to  the  manner 
of  Watt's  escape,  which  is  as  follows  : 
"  Major  Watts  [his  rank  at  this  time,  as 
I  have  observed  in  my  Introduction,  was 
captain]  was  wounded  through  the  leg 
by  a  ball,  and  in  the  neck  by  a  thrust 
from  a  bayonet  which  passed  through  the 
back  of  the  windpipe,  and  occasioned 
such  an  effusion  of  blood  as  to  induce  not 
only  him  but  his  captors  to  suppose  (after 
leading  him  two  or  three  miles)  that  he 
must  die  in  consequence.  He  begged  his 
captors  to  kill  him  ;  they  refused  and  left 
him  by  the  side  of  a  stream  (Oriskany 
creek)  under  the  shade  of  a  bridge,  where 
he  was  found  two  days  subsequently, 
covered  with  fly-blows,  but  still  alive 
He  was  borne  by  some  Indians  to  Schen- 
ectady  where  he  remained  (after  losing 
his  leg)  until  sufficiently  recovered  to  bear  a 
voyage  to  England."  Soon  after  his  arrival 
in  England  he  married  a  Miss  Nugent ; 
and  as  Gen.  de  Peyster,  his  grand  nephew, 
informs  the  writer,  died  in  elegant  retire- 
ment surrounded  by  a  noble  family  of 
equally  brave  sons.  Of  these  sons,  one, 


Ross  Watts,  was  an  admiral  in  the  British 
navy ;  another,  John  Watts,  was  a  captain 
in  the  British  army  and  was  present  at 
the  capture  of  Washington  and  the  battle 
of  New  Orleans,  and  subsequently,  mayor 
and  deputy  of  Wellington,  as  governor  of 
Walma  Castle ;  and  still  another,  Robert 
Nugent,  was  secretary  in  Quebec  and  a 
member  of  assembly  in  the  Canadian 
parliament.  See  also,  the  Parliamentary 
Register  for  Watts's  conduct  at  Oriskany. 

'"'Wings,'  as  connected  with  uni- 
forms, were  once  worn  as  a  substitute  for 
epaulettes  ;  certainly,  during  the  revolu- 
tion in  the  English  service.  They  were 
of  cloth  j  in  shape,  similar  to  the  strap 
of  the  epaulette  ;  and  terminated  at  the 
end  with  a  gold  or  silver  fringe  for  officers, 
and  of  coarser  materials  for  lower  grades. 
They  are  sometimes  seen  in  old  pictures; 
and  officers  of  long  service  have  a  dim 
sort  of  recollection  that  they  were  for- 
merly worn  in  the  United  States  service." 
Gen.  de  Peyster  to  the  author. 


yohnson's  Orderly  Book.  31 

-nth.  P.  Phillips.  C.  Eraser.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  10  Privates,  i  Sergt.  Ens  Crothers, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

—  1 2th.    P.   London.       C.    Edinburgh.       For 
Guard    to    morrow     i    Sergt.    10    Private    men. 
Officer  of  the   Day,  Ensign  Wall.     The  Com- 
misson'd,   Non   Commisson'd  Officers  and  Men 
of  the  King's  Royal    Regt.  of  New  York   to  be 
Under  Arms  to  morrow  morning  at  7  o'Clock. 

—  1 3th.    P.   Dornoch.      C.    Dunrobin.       For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  P  Ens  Crawford 
Officer   of  the    Day.     The  Private  men  of  the 
King's  Royal    Regt.  of  New  York   to   be  under 
Arms  to  morrow  morning  at  7  o'Clock. 

—  1 4th.   P.  Dunmore.     C.  Howe,    For  Guard 
to  morrow  i    Sergt   &    10  Private    men.      Lieut. 
Morrison  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-i 5th.  P.  Johnson.  C.  Tryon.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  and  10  Private  men.  Ens 
Burn,  Officer  of  the  Day.  Its  the  Commanding 
Officers  Orders  that  the  Compy's  Cantoon'd  at 
Lachine  Shall  be  Under  Arms  to  morrow  Morn- 
ing at  Nine  O'Clock  ;  the  Non  Commission'd 
Officers  to  See  that  the  men  Are  Clean,  and  their 
Arms  in  Good  Order ;  they  are  to  Parade  at  the 
Commanding  Officers  Quarters. 

— 1 6th,  P.  Inverness.  C.  Nairn.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Priv.  men.  Ens  Cro- 
thers Officer  of  the  Day. 

—  i7th.   P.  York.     C.  Albany.     For  Guard  to 


32  Johnsons  Orderly  Book. 

morrow    i    Sergt   &    10    Pt.    men.       Ens  Wall, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

—  1 8th.  P.  Eaton.    C.  Hingham.     For  Guard 
to  morrow  i   sergt.  &  10  Pt.  men.      Ens  Craw- 
ford officer  of  the  Day. 

—  i  9th.  P.   Dublin.      C.   Cork.      For   Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  and  ten  Private  men.      Lieut. 
Morrison  Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 20th  P.  Bristol.  O.  Earth.  For  Guard  to 
morrow  i  Sergt  and  10  P  men.  Ens  Burn, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 2 1  st.  P.  Lincolnshire.  C.  Cambridgeshire. 
For  Guard  to  morrow,  i  Sergt.  and  10  Private 
men.  Ens  Crothers  Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 22d.  P.  Niagara.  C.  Oswagoachey.1  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt.  10  Private  men.  Ens 
Wall,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 23d.  P.  Derby.  C.  Clonmell.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  men.  Ens  Crawford, 
Officer  of  the  Day  the  Commis'd  Non  Com- 
miss'd  officers,  Drums  &  Privits,  men  of  the 
Kings  Royal  Regt.  of  New  York,  to  Hold  them- 
selves In  Readiness  to  March  to  Point  Clair  on 
Saturday  Morning  26th  of  April.  They  are  to 
Parade  at  the  Commanding  Officer's  Quarters  at 
7  o'clock. 

1    Oswegatchie    (now     Ogdensburgh,  by  the  English  in  1700,  while  they  were 

N.  Y.),  in  1740  known  as  Fort   Preset!-  descending   the   St.  Lawrence  to  attack 

tation   and    sometimes    La    Gallette.     It  Montreal.     Tradition  locates  one  of  Gen. 

was  garrisoned   by  the  French   during   a  Putnam's  most  daring  exploits  at  this  fort, 
part  of  the  seven  years  war,  but  was  taken 


Johnson's   Orderly  Book.  33 

— 24th.  P.  London.  C.  York.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  I  Sergt.  &  10  P.  men.  Ens  Byrne 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

—25th.  P.  Bristol.  C.  Barth.  For  Guard  to 
morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  P.  men.  Ens  Byrne 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

—26th.  P.  Boston.  C.  Norwich.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  P  men.  Ens.  Crothers, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 27th.  P.  Hingham.  C.  Dearham.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  and  10  Private  men. 
Ens  Wall,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-28th.  P.  Norfolk.  C.  Suffolk.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  P  men.  Ens.  Craw- 
ford, Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 29th.  P.  Dover.  C.  Plymouth.  For 
Guard  to  morrow,  i  Sergt.  &  10  Priv.  men. 
Leaut.  Morrison,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-3Oth.  P.  Ireland.  C.  Scotland.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pri.  men.  Ens.  Byrne 
Officer  of  the  Day. 


1777  MAY,  IST.  P.  Quebec.  C.  Orleans.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Priv.  men.  Ens. 
Crothers,  Officer  of  the  Day.  the  Commiss'd 
Non  Commiss'd  officers,  Drummers,  &  private 
men  of  the  Kings  Royal  Regt.  of  New  York  to 
hold  themselves  in  Readiness  to  March  to  Point 
Clair  to  morrow  Morning  at  7  o'clock;  thay  are 
"  6 


34  'Johnson's   Orderly  Book. 

to  Parade  at  the  Commanding  Officers  Quarters 
at  La  Chine. 

— 2d.  P.  Halifax.  C.  Boston.  For  Guard 
tomorrow  i  Sergt  &  10  men.  Ens  Wall  officer 
of  the  Day. 

—3d.  P.  Belfast.  C.  Dublin.  For  Guard  to 
morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  men.  Ens  Crawford, 
Officer  of  the  Day.  it  is  the  Commanding  officers 
orders  that  all  the  officers  for  the  future  to  Ex- 
ercise their  own  Companys. 

—4th.  P.  Cork.  C.  Dublin.  For  Guard  to 
morrow,  i  Sergt  &  10  P.  men.  Lieut.  Morrison, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

It  is  the  Commanding  officers  orders  that  two 
men  from  each  Company  be  ordered  to  attend 
the  ammunition  tomorrow  at  8  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  &  also  that  the  old  men  who  are  in- 
capable to  exercise  attend  for  the  same  purpose. 

— 5th.  P.  America.  C.  England.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt,  &  10  P  men.  Lieut.  Walker, 
Officer  of  the  Day. 

— 6th.  P.  Montreal.  C.  Lachine.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  10  Prjv.  men.  Ens  Byrne, 
Officer  of  the  Day.  It  is  the  Commanding 
officers  orders  that  two  men  from  each  Company 
attend  constantly  every  fair  day  at  8  o'Clock  in 
the  morning  in  order  to  air  the  ammunition  ; 
also  that  the  old  men,  who  are  incapable  of  learn- 
ing the  exercise,  attend  for  the  same  purpose  with 
a  Non  Commissioned  officer. 


yobnson's  Orderly  Book.  35 

-/th.  P.  New  York.  C.  Amboy.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Priv.  men.  Ens. 
Crothers,  officer  of  the  Day. 

— 8th.  P.  Guadaloupe.  C.  Lewisburgh.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Private  men. 
Ens  Wall,  officer  of  the  Day. 

—9th.  P.  Hanover.  C.  Hamburg.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt,  10  Private  men.  Ens 
Crawford,  officer  of  the  Day. 

It  is  the  commanding  officer's  orders  that  the 
Commiss'd  Non  Commiss'd  officers  Drumers  & 
Privets  March  to  Point  Clair  to  morrow  Morning 
at  8  o'clock,  if  the  Weather  Permits ;  thay  are 
to  Parade  at  the  Commanding  officers  Quarters. 

-loth.  P.  Bristol.  C.  York.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Private  men.  Lieut. 
Morrison  officer  of  the  Day. 

-nth.  P.  Eraser.  C.  Phillips.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  &  10  Private  men.  Ens  Byrne 
officer  of  the  Day. 

—  1 2th.  P.  Edinburgh.  C.  Lieth.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  8  Privt  men.  Ens. 
Crothers  officer  of  the  Day. 

— 1 3th.  P.  Crownpoint.  C.  Tyconderoga. 
For  Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  8  Privt  men. 
Ens  Wall,  officer  of  the  Day. 

— 1 4th.  P.  Fort  William.  C.  Fort  George. 
For  Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  8  Privts.  Lieut. 
Walker,  officer  of  the  Day. 


36  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

The  Commission'd  Non  Commiss'd  officers, 
Drum'rs,  &  Private  men  of  the  Kings  Royal  Regt. 
of  New  York  to  March  to  Point  Clair  to  morrow 
Morning  at  7  o'clock.  They  will  Parade  at  the 
Commanding  officers  Quarters. 

—  i  5th.  P.  Tyron.  C.  Howe.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Pr.  men.  Ens  Byrne, 
officer  of  the  Day. 

It  being  Reported  to  the  Commanding  Officer 
[St.  Leger]  that  Several  of  the  Soldiers  make  a 
practice  of  Gunning  with  their  Regimental  Fire 
Locks,  he  Desires  for  the  future  to  say  any 
Soldier  who  shall  be  guilty  of  Using  their  Arms 
to  that  .purpose,  if  they  shall,  they  may  Depend 
they  will  be  punished  as  the  Martial  Law 
Directs. 

-i 6th.  P.  Quebec.  C.  Dover.  For  Guard 
to  morrow,  i  Sergt  &  10  Pr.  men.  Ens. 
Crothers,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

The  Regt.  are  to  keep  themselves  in  Readi- 
ness to  March  at  a  Days  Warning  ;  the  Trowsers 
&  Every  thing  else  to  be  Ready  on  Saturday 
Next :  the  whole  of  the  Taylors  of  the  Regt.  to 
be  kept  at  Work  &  free  from  Duty  till  then  for 
that  purpose — Jessup's  Corps1  to  see  that  thay  are 

1  Jessup's  Corps,  or  Jessup's  Battalion,  for    convenience     in     drawing     rations, 

the  names  are  used  interchangeably,  or  the  clothing,  etc.,    before  the  expeditions   of 

officers  that  composed  it,  with  the  men  Burgoyne  and   St.  Leger  started.      "  The 

that  went  from  New  York  with  them  in  corps  were  regarded  by  Sir  Guy  Carleton," 

the  fall  of  1776  to  Canada,  were  ordered  writes  Gen.    Rogers,  "rather  as  refugees 

to   Sir   John  Johnson's   regiment  merely  than  as  soldiers,  though    they  wished   to 


jfobnson's  Orderly  Book.  37 

Ready  in  Case  of  Orders  for  their  Marching,  & 
to  have  their  Clothing  Ready  according  to  the 
Above  Orders  for  the  Regt. — Corp.  Edward 
Egnue  of  Capt.  Brown's  Compy  having  Recei'd 
his  Sentence  of  the  General  Court  Martial  is  now 
Reduced  to  Serve  in  the  Ranks  as  a  Private 
Soldier. 


w 


be  regarded  as  soldiers ;  and  finally,  in 
the  spring  of  1777,  a  corps  was  raised 
known  as  '  Jessup's  Corps'.  Before  that 
Sir  Guy  called  them  "  Jessup's  party," 
and  very  strongly  criticised  the  use  of  the 
term  'corps.'"  As  long  as  they  were 
with  Sir  John,  receiving  pay  as  soldiers, 
he  treated  them  as  such,  notwithstanding 
Sir  Guy's  hair-splitting  in  regard  to  them. 
The  34th  entered  at  Quebec,  Sir  John's 
regiment  at  La  Chine,  Pointe  Claire,  etc., 
and  Jessup's  corps  or  party  was  with  the 
latter.  Thus  they  continued  until  spring, 
Sir  John  on  May  1 6th,  commanding  that 
"  Jessup's  corps  to  see  that  they  are  ready 
in  case  of  orders  for  their  marching  "  — 
until  finally,  as  mentioned  in  a  previous 
note,  they  left,  June  1 6th,  to  join  Bur- 
goyne's  army.  After  this  expedition, 
and  indeed,  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
the  Jessup  brothers  were  actively  engaged 
in  the  bitter  partisan  warfare  which  was 
such  a  feature  of  those  times  ;  and  accord- 
ingly we  find  the  younger  brother,  Major 
Jessup,  in  the  spring  of  1781,  preparing  to 
head  a  party  from  Point  au  Fez  against  Pal- 
merstown  near  the  present  village  of  Sara- 
toga Springs.  David  Jones,  so  famous 
as  the  betrothed  lover  of  the  unfortunate 
Jane  McCrea,  held  a  commission  in  this 
corps,  as  did  also  his  brother  Daniel. 
The  "Big  Fall,"  on  the  Hudson  river 
about  ten  miles  above  Glen's  Falls,  where 
the  entire  volume  of  water  pours  over  a 
sheer  descent  of  nearly  seventy  feet,  is 
named  "  Jessup's  Big  Falls,"  after  the 
commander  of  this  corps.  "  Above  the 
fall  is  what  is  called  '  the  race  '  where, 


for  a  distance  of  about  three  hundred 
yards,  the  river  runs  down  a  sharp  decline, 
gathering  strength  and  impetus  for  the 
final  leap.  Still  higher  up,  is  a  gorge  in 
the  rocks  where  the  river  finds  passage 
in  a  cleft  about  fourteen  feet  wide.  Here 
legend  says  that  Jessup  jumped  across  the 
river  and  made  his  escape  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  revolution  from  the  sheriff  of 
Albany  county."  There  is  also  another 
tradition  connected  with  this  romantic 
river  and  St.  Leger's  expedition.  Some 
five  miles  above  the  scene  of  Jessup's 
feat,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Sacandaga, 
and  where  now  is  the  pleasant  hamlet  of 
Luzerne,  the  Hudson,  rushing  through  a 
narrow  gorge  between  high  and  rocky 
cliffs,  forms  what  are  called  ''•  Jessup's 
Little  Falls."  At  this  spot  the  river  is 
barely  twelve  feet  wide ;  and  the  story 
goes  that,  in  1777,  a  British  scout  was 
endeavoring  to  find  his  way  down  the 
Sacandaga  to  communicate  to  Burgoyne 
the  fact  of  the  defeat  of  St.  Leger  before 
the  walls  of  Fort  Stanwix.  As  he  ap- 
proached this  spot,  he  was  waylaid  by  a 
party  of  patriots  who  had  followed  up  his 
trail,  when,  to  save  his  life,  he  rusLed 
down  the  rocky  bank,  leaped  the  river  at 
a  bound,  and  clambering  up  the  rocky 
bank,  escaped.  His  baffled  pursuers  sent 
after  him  a  few  shots,  but  without  effect. 
"  After  the  revolution,"  says  Col.  B.  C. 
Butler  of  Lucerne,  N.  Y.,  "  Ebenezer  and 
Edward  Jessup,  who  were  large  and  suc- 
cessful speculators  in  wild  lands,  and 
who  had  previously  bought  this  particular 
tract  from  the  Mohawks,  settled  at  the 


38  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

The  Regt.  &  other  Partys,  Under  the  Com- 
mand of  Major  Gray,  are  to  be  Under  Arms 
Saturday  Next  at  the  Usual  Place  of  Exercise  at 
the  Bay  if  the  Weather  Permits. 

—  i yth.     P.    Langford.     C.  Lunsbansborogh. 
For  Guard  to  morrow  i   Sergt  &  8  Priv.  men. 
Ens  Wall,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

-i  8th.  P.  Chester.  C.  Newport.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  10  Privet  men. 
Ens  Crawford,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

—  1 9th.     P.   Stirling.     C.    Perth,      for   guard 
tomorrow  one  Sergt  and  10  private  men.      Lieut. 
Walker,  officer  of  the  Day. 

— 2oth.  P.  London.  C.  Edinburgh.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  8  Priv.  men.  Ens 
Byrne,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

It  is  the  Commanding  officers  orders  that  the 
Volunteers  who  have  joined  the  Companies  to 
which  they  belonge  are  to  Mount  Guard  In 
their  Proper  Turn. 

'  Big  Falls,'  where,  for  several  years,  they  both   the   Jessups  were  included  in   the 

did  a  large  and  thriving  business  in  lumber,  New  York  Act  of  Attainder  and   could 

They  also  built  a  road  from  Fort  Miller,  scarcely  have  lived  in  New  York  after  the 

across  the   plain  and  around   the  foot  of  revolution;  besides  which  Gen.  Rogers,  a 

Mt.    McGregor  (near  Saratoga   Springs),  very  high  authority,  writes  that  he  has  posi- 

to  the  present  hamlet  of  Luzerne.     The  tive  proof  that  at  least  one  of  the  brothers, 

*  Big     Falls  '   was    also   called     '  Jessup's  Edward,  lived  in  Canada  after  the  war.until 

Landing,'  from  the  fact  that  the  lumber  his  death.      Edward  Jessup  was   present 

rafts  from   the  Sacandaga,  Hudson   and  as  one  of  the  chief  mourners  at  the  funeral 

Schroon  rivers,  on  their  way  to  market,  of  Sir  William  Johnson  to  whom  he  was 

were  landed  here,  drawn  by  teams  around  greatly  attached.      Holders  History  of  tht 

the  '  Big  Falls,'  and    then  re-shipped  for  Town     of   ^ueentbury  •    Stone's    Life    of 

Glen's   Falls."      This  statement  of  Col.  Brant ;  N.  B.  Sylvester. 
Butler,  however,  is  hardly  probable,   as 


'Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  39 

— 2 1  st.  P.  Dublin.  C.  London.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  8  men.  Ens  Cr others 
officer  of  the  Day. 

— 22d.  P.  Templar.  C.  Preston.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt.  &  8  Priv.  men.  Ens 
Wall  Officer  of  the  Day. 

It  is  the  Commanding  officer's  orders  that  the 
Commisson'd  Non  Commisson'd  officers  6c 
Soldiers  of  the  King's  Royal  Regt.  of  New  York 
to  be  Under  arms  this  Evening  at  the  Usual 
Place  of  Exercise  at  four  o'clock  ;  the  Non  Com- 
mission'd  officers  are  to  see  that  the  mens  arms 
are  in  Duty  order ;  their  Regtl's  Clean ;  their 
Regt'l  hats  well  Cocked,  &  their  hair  Properly 
Dressed,  So  as  to  appear  Decent  Saturday  Next 
at  the  Review. 

— 23d.  P.  Greenock.  C.  Paisley.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  i  Sergt  &  8  Priv.  men.  Ens 
Crawford,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

It  is  the  Commanding  officers  orders  the  Com- 
misson'd Non  Commissined  officers,  Drumers  & 
Privts  of  the  King's  Royal  Regt  of  New  York 
to  be  Under  arms  for  Exercise  to  morrow 
Morning  at  7  o'clock. 

— 24th.  P.  Walker.  C.  ^  Lipscomb.  For 
Guard  to  morrow,  i  Sergt.  &  8  men.  Ens 
Crothers  officer  of  the  Day. 

It  is  the  Commanding  officers  orders  that  the 
two  Companys  Cantoon'd  at  Lachine  hold  them- 


4<D  Jobnsorfs  Orderly  Book. 

selves  in  Readiness  to  March  to  Point  Clair  on 
monday  Next  at  6  o'Clock  in  the  morning  ;  the 
officers  to  be  Careful  that  the  mens  arms,  ammu- 
nition, accoutrements  and  necessaries  are  in  good 
order  on  Tuesday  Morning  next  at  the  genl 
Review.  The  Commissioned  Non  Commis- 
sioned officers,  Drums,  and  private  men  to  [meet 
at]  roll  calling  tomorrow  morning  at  Nine 
o'Clock  at  the  Commanding  officers  Quarters  & 
to  Receive  the  Deficency  of  the  Cartridges. 

—25th.  P.  Inverness.  C.  Darnock.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  I  Sergt.  &  6  private  men. 
Ens  Wall,  Officer  of  the  Day. 

The  Commissioned,  Non  Commiss'ed  officers, 
Drummers  &  Private  men  to  appear  at  6  o'clock 
to  morrow  Morning  at  the  Commanding  officers 
Quarters  in  Uniforms  with  their  Arms  [and] 
accoutrements  necessary. 

POINT  CLAIR. ' 

1777,  MAY  26th.  Parole,  Aberdeen.  Coun- 
tersign, Inverness.  For  Guard  to  morrow  Lt. 

1  Three   leagues  from  La   Chine   (16  and    orchards.     The     houses    in    these 

miles  from  Montreal)  is  POINTE  CLAIRE,  Canadian  villages  are  all  built  of  mud  and 

now  a  post-village.     It  contains  from  200  small  boulders,  or  paving  stones,  generally 

to  300  houses,  built  with  regularity,  and  one   story  high,  and   with   doors  divided 

forming  small  streets  that  cross  the  main  .  in  the  middle  transversely.     The  lower 

road   at  right  angles.     There   is  a   neat  part  being  shut  to  keep   the  children  in, 

parish  church,  a  parsonage  house,  and  one  and   the   upper   being  open,   the  women 

or   two   tolerably  good   houses  to  receive  lean  out  and  talk  to  each  other  across  the 

strangers.     The    surrounding    scenery  is  street,  in  the  most  primitive  style  imagin- 

attractive,  and  it  is  surrounded  by  gardens  able. 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  4.0*2 

McKenzie,  i    Sergt.    i  Corpl.    i    Drum   and    12 
Private  men. 

Its  the  Commanding  officers  orders  that  all  the 
Regt.  get  their  Arms  and  Cloathing  Clean  and  in 
good  order,  and  appear  Under  Arms  to  morrow 
morning  at  Seven  o'clock  on  the  field  as  they  are 
to  be  Reviewed  by  the  Genl  -  -  the  officers  com- 
manding Comp's,  to  give  in  an  Exact  field  Return 
to  the  Adjt.  to  .morrow  at  Seven  o'clock.     The 
Officers  Commanding  Companys  to  give  a  Return 
of  what  Camp  Kettles   they  have  in  charge  and 
of  what  they  want  to  Compleat  at  a  Kettle  to  Six 
Men  —  the  Return  to  be  given  in  fro  the  Quarter- 
master this  Evening  at  4  o'clock  ;  the  officers  will 
give   particular   orders   to   their   Men    to  do   no 
Damage   to  the  Barns  where   they  are   Lodged, 
and  be  very  Carefull  of  fire,  and  Particularly  not 
to  smoke  in  the  Rams ;  any  of  the  Soldiers  that 
is  found  Guilty  of  Meddling  with  any  of  the  In- 
habitants Effects  may  Depend  on  Being  Punished 
According  to  the  Martial  Law.1     The  sick  men 
that  are  Quartered  in  the  Country  are  to  be  Re- 
moved to   the  Village   that   they  may  be   Con- 
venient   to   the    Doctor.     An    Officer    of  Each 
Compy  to  Attend  this  Evening  at  4  o'Clock  and 
Receive  what  Arms  they  want  to  Compleat  their 
Comp'nys. 

1  It  is  evident  that  St.  Leger,  notwith-  both  of  conciliating  the  inhabitants,  and 

standing  the  superciliousness  with  which  of  doing  nothing  which  would  prejudice 

he  affected  to  treat  the  enemy,  acknowl-  them  against  the  royal  cause, 
edged,  in    his  own    mind,    the   necessity 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book. 

— 27th.  P.  St.  Leger.  C.  Ireland.  For  Guard 
to  morrow  I  Sergt.  I  Corporal,  i  Drum,  and  1 1 
Private  Men.  Leut.  McDonnel  Officer  of  the 
Day.  • 

The  Commission'd  officers  and  Non  Commis- 
sion'd,  Drums  and  Private  Men  of  the  Kings 
Royal  Regt.  of  New  York  to  be  Under  arms  to 
morrow  morning  at  7  o'clock  for  Exercise ; 
Jessup's  Corps  are  to  be  at  Point  Clatr  to  be 
Exercised  till  Further  orders. 

— z8th.  P.  Carleton.  C.  Burgoyne.  For 
Guard  to  morrow  Lieut.  Walker  i  Sergt.  i  C.  I 
D.  ii  Pr/ 

Its  the  commanding  officers  Orders  that  the 
officers  Commanding  Companys  give  in  a  Return 
this  Evening  at  4  o'clock  to  the  Qur  Master  of 
what  Cloathing  they  want  to  Compleat  thair 
Compys  &  that  the  Men  Attend  to  morrow 
morning  at  8  o'clock  at  the  Taylors  Shop  to  have 
their  Measures  taken.  The  Officers  Command- 
ing Compys  to  give  in  thair  Monthly  Return  to 
the  Commanding  officer  to  morrow  morning  at 
9  o'clock.  The  Regt  to  be  Under  Arms  to 
morrow  morning  at  7  o'clock  for  Exercise.  Its 
the  Commanding  [officer's]  orders  that  Thomas 
Miller  &  John  Palmer  be  Appointed  Corpls  in 
Capt  Brown's  Compy,  and  James  Plant  Appointed 
in  Capt.  Daleys  Compy.  in  the  room  of  Corporal 
McGrigar  who  is  transferred  to  Capt  Browns 
Compy.  Francis  Albrant  soldier  in  the  Colls 


"Johnson *s  Orderly  Book.  41 

Compy  to  attend   the  Qur  Master  and  Do   no 
Other  Duty  for  the  future. 

— 29th.  P.  Phillips.  C.  Frazer.  For  Guard  to 
morrow  Ens  Crothers  i  S.  iC.  i  Drummer  and 
12  Privat  men. 

The  Officers  Commanding  Companys  to  See 
that  the  taylors  keep  steady  at  the  Cloathing  till 
finished,  no  Excuse  to  be  taken  :  the  Regt  to  be 
under  Arms  at  6  o'clock  Every  morning  while 
the  weather  is  Good;  and  in  the  afternoon  firing 
Ball. 

— 3Oth.  P.  Johnson.  C.  Watts.  For  Guard  to 
morrow  Ens  Crawford  i  Sergt  i  Corpl  i  Drum- 
mer &  12  Private  men. 

The  Commanding  Officer  Desires  that  officers 
Would  be  more  Particular  in  Giving  the 
Monthly  Returns — Field  Returns,  Morning  Re- 
ports, Reports  of  the  Sick,  or  any  other  Returns 
that  may  be  Wanted  Relative  to  Military  Duty- 
&  that  they  Would  furnish  themselves  with  a 
Copy  of  the  Different  Returns  that  they  may  have 
occasion  for :  the  Regt  to  hold  themselves  in 
Readiness  to  March  to  Lachine  at  an  hours 
Warning. 

-31  st.  P.  Col.  McLean.  C.  Majr.  Small1.   For 

1  Selected  in  honor  of  Major  (afterwards  Indeed,  such   was   the  known    character 

Colonel)  Small,    a   British   officer  in  the  of  Col.  Small,  that  a  billet   presented   by 

Southern    department,    who,    in   marked  him  was  regarded  as  a  distinguished  mark 

contrast   to   the  cruelties   enacted    by  the  of  favor;    security  from   insult  and  from 

English    officers  generally,   showed    great  any  species  of  imposition  being  inseparable 

kindness     to     the    American     prisoners,  from   his  presence.     '*  What,"  exclaims 

6* 


4.2  Jff&tofon's  Orderly  Book. 

Guard  to  morrow  Ens  Phillips  i   Sergt   i  Corpl 
I   Drum  &  12  Private  men 

The  Regt  to  March  to  La  Chine  to  morrow 
Morning  at  6  o'clock — the  Officers  &  Men  to 
carry  no  more  Necessarys  with  them  than  what 
they  want  for  9  or  ten  Days  to  Shift  themselves 
with,  what  Baggage  the  men  .Leave  behind  to 
be  put  in  the  Store  this  Evening  at  4  o'clock; 
&  every  Compy's  Baggage  by  itself — the  Quarter 
Master  Sergt  to  see  that  there  is  Cloathing  taken 
for  the  use  of  the  Recruits  which  the  Taylors  are 
to  make  at  Lachine ;  what  Cloathing  is  finished 
to  be  Given  Out  to  the  Recruits;  &  Sergt  Hillyer 
to  pack  up  what  is  not  finish'd  to  be  Carri'd 
along  to  Morrow,  i  S  i  C  &  12  Old  Men  to  be 
left  behind  as  Guard  for  the  Stores  &  to  Attend 


Garden,  "  must  have  been  the  delightful  bull  for  my  portrait,  he  having  done  me 

sensations  of  his  heart,  who,  idolized  by  the   honor  to   place  me   in   a  very  con- 

his  own  troops,  saw  himself,  at  the  same  spicuous  situation  in  his  admirable  repre- 

time,  coveted  as  a  frieijd  and  reverenced  sentation   of  the   battle  of  Bunker   hill, 

as  a  protector  by  the    helpless  families  of  He  has  exhibited  me  as  turning  aside  the 

the   enemy  with   whom    he   contended !  bayonet    aimed    by    a    grenadier    at    the 

The    sympathies    of     his     benevolence  breast  of  Gen.  Warren.    I  would  certainly 

shielded  them  from    harm,  and  was   re-  have  saved   his  life  if  it  had  been  in  my 

paid  with  ten-fold  gratitude.     He  assuaged  power  to  do  so,  but  when  I  reached  the 

their  sufferings  and  relieved  their  wants ;  spot  on  which  his  body  lay,  the  spark  of 

and  every  prayer  which  they  offered    to  life  was  already  extinguished.      It  would 

Heaven,  was  mingled  with  ardent  solicita-  have  been  a  tribute  due  to  his  virtues  and 

tions   for   blessings   on    his    head."       So  to  his  gallantry,  and  to  me  a  sacred  duty, 

heartily  was  this  humane  conduct  appre-  since  I  am  well  apprised,  that  when,  at 

dated   by  Gen.  Green,  that,  towards  the  a  particular   period  of  the  action,   I  was 

close  of  the  war,  he  visited,  under  a  flag  left  alone  and  exposed   to  the  fire  of  the 

of  truce,  that  general  by  the  latter's  cordial  whole    American    line,    my    old    friend 

invitation,  the  visit  being  free  from  every  Putnam   saved   my  life   by  calling   aloud 

restriction.      After   the  war,  Col.  Small  '  kill  as  many  as  you  can,  but  spare  Small,' 

meeting  Garden  in  London,  told  him  the  and  that  he  actually  turned  aside  muskets 

following  anecdote  in  these  words  "I  have  that  were  aimed  for  my  destruction." 
been  sifting  this  morning  to  Col.  Trum- 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  4.3 

the  Sick.  Surgeons  Mate  to  Remain  in  Point 
Clair  to  take  Care  of  the  Sick  untill  further  Or- 
ders— the  Regt  not  to  fire  Ball  this  After  noon. 
A  Cart  will  attend  Each  Company  to  Carry  the 
Officers  Baggage  &  the  Men's  Provisions.  Compy 
Duty  for  Gd.  2  Privates. 


LACHINE. 

1777    June    i  st.    P.    [ ]   C.   [ ]      For 

Guard  to  morrow  i    Sergt,    i    Corpl    12  P  men. 
Lieut  McKenzie  Officer  of  the  day. 

The  Officers  to  Attend  Roll  call  every  Even- 
ing and  morning  and  make  the  Report  to  the 
Commanding  Officer.  They  are  to  take  particular 
Care  that  the  men  shall  not  be  straying  from 
their  Quarters:  the  Regt  to  be  under  arms  at  6 
o'clock  to  Morrow  morning :  the  Taylors  to  begin 
Directly  to  work  at  the  men's  Cloathing  and  to 
keep  Close  at  them  till  they  are  finished ;  they 
are  to  work  in  Mr.  Pridones  Garret, 
-zd.  P.  New  York. 

The  guards  to  be  mounted  every  morning  at 
7  o'clock — rolls  to  be  call'd  twice  every  Day;  in 
the  morning  after  guard  mounting  and  in  the 
evening  after  retreat  beating  at  7  o'clock — All 
officers  to  attend  at  the  head  of  their  Company — • 
all  beats  to  be  taken  from  the  34th  Regt — the 
troops  to  be  exercised  3  times  a  day  for  an  hour 
each  time — the  commanding  officers  will  observe 
the  kind  of  Discipline  laid  down  by  Colonel  St. 


44-  Johnson* s  Orderly  Book. 


Leger1.  The  kings  royal  regiment  of  New  York 
to  Fire  balls  by  Divisions  till  Further  orders— 
the  hours  of  exercise  will  be  half  after  4  in  the 
morning,  at  mid  Day  and  at  half  past  5  in  the 
evening — it  is  understood  that  the  mid  Day  exer- 
cise is  to  be  For  the  guard  men  only  for  whom 
some  shady  place  will  be  chosen  by  the  Com- 
manding officer — a  weekly  state  of  the  Different 
corps  to  be  given  in  every  monday  morning  to 
lieutenant  Crofts.  For  the  future  a  subalterns 
guard  to  be  mounted  consisting  of  one  subaltern 


1  Barry  St.  Leger  entered  the  regular 
army  on  the  27th  of  April,  1756,  as 
ensign  of  the  2.8th  regiment  of  Foot, 
and  coming  to  America  the  following 
year,  he  served  in  the  French  war, 
learning  the  habits  of  the  Indians  and 
gaining  much  experience  in  border  warfare. 
That  he  profited  by  this  early  training  is 
evident  from  the  fact  that  when  he  was 
chosen  by  George  III  (at  Burgoyne's 
recommendation)  to  be  the  leader  of  the 
expedition  against  Fort  Stanwix,  he  justi- 
fied their  confidence  in  his  advance  from 
Oswego  by  his  precautions,  as  shown  by 
the  orders  given  from  day  to  day  in  this 
Orderly  Book,  by  his  stratagem  at  Oris- 
kany,  and  by  his  general  conduct  of  the 
siege  of  Fort  Stanwix  up  to  the  panic 
produced  by  the  rumor  of  the  approach 
of  Arnold  which  forced  him  to  raise  it. 
Indeed,  as  Hon.  Ellis  H.  Roberts  says  in 
his  admirable  address  at  the  Oriskany 
Centennial,  "that  he  was  a  wise  com- 
mander, fitted  for  border  warfare,  his 
order  of  march  bespeaks  him." 

After  his  unfortunate  expedition  against 
Fort  Stanwix,  he  was  promoted  in  Nov., 
1780,  to  colonel  in  the  army,  the  highest 
rank  he  ever  attained  ;  and  commanding 
scouts  and  rangers  on  the  northern  frontier, 
under  the  immediate  command  of  General 


Haldimand,  then  lieutenant  governor  of 
Canada,  he  occasionally  carried  on  a 
guerilla  warfare,  his  head-quarters  being 
at  Montreal.  It  was  he,  who,  in  the 
summer  of- 178 1,  proposed  the  plan  for 
the  capture  of  Gen.  Schuyler  which, 
however,  failed  in  its  object.  In  the 
autumn  of  the  same  year  (1781)  St. 
Leger,  in  obedience  to  the  orders  of 
Haidimand,  who  was  anxious  to  persuade 
Vermont  to  throw  herself  into  the  arms 
of  her  legitimate  sovereign,  ascended 
Lake  Champlain,  with  a  strong  force  to 
Ticonderoga,  when  he  rested  in  the  ex- 
pectation of  meeting  the  Vermont  com- 
misioners  Ira  Allen  and  Joseph  Fay, 
meanwhile  a  rumor  of  the  capture  of 
Cornwallis  and  his  army  at  Yorktown 
was  wafted  along  upon  the  southern 
breeze,  the  effect  of  which  was  such 
upon  the  people,  as  to  induce  Allen 
and  Fay  to  write  to  the  British  commis- 
sioners with  St.  Leger,  that  it  would  be 
imprudent  at  that  particular  conjuncture 
for  him  to  promulgate  the  royal  procla- 
mation, and  urging  delay  to  a  more  aus- 
picious moment.  The  messenger  with 
these  despatches  had  not  been  longer 
than  an  hour  at  the  head-quarters  of  St. 
Leger  at  Ticonderoga,  before  the  rumor 
respecting  Cornwallis  was  confirmed  by 


COL.  BARRY  ST.  LEGER. 


jfohnsons  Orderly  Book.  4.5 

one  sergeant  one  Corporal  i  Drummer  and  18 
privates.  The  34th  regt  to  furnish  to  morrow 
i  subaltern  i  corporal  I  Drummer  and  5  pri- 
vates ;  the  King's  royal  regt  of  New  York  and 
Jessup's  Corps  to  Furnish  i  sergeant  and  13  pri- 
vate men. 

— 3d.  P.  Johnstown.  A  Strict  and  Punctual 
Adherence  to  all  orders  Given,  is  the  life  and 
soul  of  Military  Operations ;  without  it  Troops 
are  but  confus'd  &  ungovernable  multitudes  ever 
liable  to  Destruction  &  sure  never  to  acquire 
honour  to  themselves  or  gain  advantage  to  their 
Country  :  therefore  Col.  St  Leger  Acquaints  the 
Troops  he  has  the  Honour  to  Command,  that 
the  few  Necessary  Orders  he  means  to  give  Must 

an  express.  The  effect  was  prodigious,  ways,  had  ample  facilities  for  verifying 
All  ideas  of  farther  operations  in  that  his  facts,  writes,  that  St.  Leger  was  in  a 
quarter  were  instantly  abandoned  ;  and  state  of  intoxication  during  most  of  the 
before  evening  of  the  same  day,  St.  time  his  forces  lay  before  the  fort. 
Leger's  troops  and  stores  were  re-em-  His  lack  of  judgment  is  also  clearly  dem- 
barked,  and  with  a  fair  wind  he  made  onstrated  by  Col.  Glaus  in  his  letter  to 
sail  immediately,  back  to  St.  John's  the  Secretary  (see  note  on  Glaus  in  ad- 
St.  Leger  possessed  decided  literary  and  vance).  O'Callaghan,  speaking  of  St. 
scholastic  talent,  as  is  abundantly  proved  Leger,  says,  that  when  he  died,  in  1789, 
both  by  his  letters  lo  Burgoyne  and  the  he  had  acquired  no  distinction  in  his  pro- 
British  Ministry  and  by  his  book  which  he  fession,  and  rather  intimates  that  this 
afterwards  published  entitled  "  St.  Leger's  was  singular.  It  does  not,  however,  appear 
Journal  of  Occurrences  in  America."  to  us  singular  if  the  statement  of  his  in- 
We  do  not,  however,  quite  agree  with  temperate  habits  is  correct.  But  although 
Mr.  Roberts  when  he  says  that  St.  Leger  he  was  evidently  a  polished  gentleman 
was  "  prompt,  tenacious,  fertile  in  re-  and  an  accomplished  scholar,  his  en- 
sources,  and  attentive  to  detail."  He  couragement  of  Tory  and  Indian  atrocities 
certainly  made  a  most  undignified  retreat,  while  on  this  expedition,  such  as  offering 
and  has  moreover,  been  accused  by  his  in  general  orders  §zo  for  every  American 
subaltern  officers  of  a  want  of  energy,  scalp,  .vhich  cannot  be  denied,  fully  justi- 
Campbell,  also,  who  was  an  industrious  fies  the  phillipic  of  Arnold  when  he  char- 
as  well  as  a  careful  and  painstaking  his-  acterized  him  as  little  better  than  a  barbar- 
torian,  and  had  many  conversations  with  ian.  In  this  connection  however,  it  is  but 
those  who  knew  St.  Leger  and  in  other  justice  to  state  that  many  of  the  British 


46  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

Instantly  arid  privately  [be]  attended  to  without 
Discretionary  Interpretations  whatsoever.  A  De- 
tail of  the  Guard  for  to  Morrow.  34  Regt,  i  C. 
I  Drum.  &  6  Privates:  Kings  Royal  Regt  N. 
York,  i  Subaltern  I  Sergt  &  12  Private. 

Regt  orders,  for  Guard  to  Morrow  Ens  Me 
Kenzie. 


officers  did  not  approve  of  the  cold-blood 
villainies  of  the  Indians  and  Tories  (Tories 
should  have  been  named  first,  for  they 
often  excelled  the  Indians  in  bloodthirsti- 
ness  and  did  things  at  which  the  latter, 
even  recoiled  in  horror).  General  Carle- 
ton  (Lord  Dorchester),  General  Haldi- 
mand  and  even  Burgoyne  were  among  this 
number;  and  Haldimand,  indeed,  went 
so  far  as  to  refuse  to  see  Walter  Butler 
when  after  the  Cherry  Valley  massacre 
he  went  to  Quebec. 

It  will  be  observed  that  for  the  purposes 
of  the  expedition  against  Fort  Stanwix, 
St.  Leger  received,  as  mentioned  in  the 
text,  the  local  rank  of  brigadier.  To 
explain  this,  which  has  given  so  much 
trouble  to  all  historians  from  Dr.  Gordon 
down  to  Col.  Stone  and  Judge  Campbell, 
it  is  only  necessary  to  state  that  the  British 
service  recognized  a  number  of  military 
commissions  which  are  unknown  in 
others,  among  them  "  acting,"  "  territor- 
ial "  and  "  local."  For  instance,  in  the 
cases  of  Carleton  and  Clinton,  they  were 
full  generals  in  America,  but  only  lieuten- 
ant generals  elsewhere.  This  explains  how 
Ferguson  is  variously  known  as  line  major, 
brevet  colonel  and  territorial  brigadier 
general  for  the  command  of  militia.  This 
also  explains  why  so  many  officers  of  this 
expedition  have  at  different  times  such 
various  ranks,  as  for  instance,  McLean, 
Rouville,  Gray,  etc.  Gen.  J.  Watts, 
dePeyster;  Knox  ;  0"  Callaghan  ;  Ed.  By 
the  courtesy  of  Gen.  Horatio  Rogers,  of 
Providence,  R.  I.,  we  append  to  the  above 
sketch,  the  following  notice  of  St. 


Leger,  which  will  appear  as  a  note 
to  Gen.  Rogers 's  Hadderi"s  Journal ',  soon 
to  be  published.  Gen.  Rogers  says : 
"  Barry  St.  Leger,  a  nephew  of  the 
fourth  Viscount  Doneraile,  was  of  Hugue- 
not descent,  and  was  born  in  or  about  the 
year  1737.  He  entered  the  British 
military  service  as  an  ensign  in  the  28th 
Foot,  April  27,  1756,  and  the  next  year 
accompanied  his  regiment  to  America 
where  it  served  under  Gen.  Abercrombie. 
He  seems  to  have  been  allowed  to  jump 
the  grade  of  lieutenant,  and  he  was  pro- 
moted to  a  captaincy  in  the  48th  Foot, 
then  likewise  in  America,  March  24th, 
1758.  He  participated  in  the  siege  and 
capture  of  Louisburg  in  1758,  and  accom- 
panied Wolfe  to  Quebec  in  1759,  par- 
ticipating in  the  battle  on  the  Heights  of 
Abraham.  The  last  order,  given  by  the 
dying  Wolfe  was,  '  Go,  one  of  you,  my 
lads  to  Colonel  Burton,  tell  him  to  march 
Webb's  regiment '  (the  48th)  '  with  all 
speed  to  Charles's  river  to  cut  off  the 
retreat  of  the  fugitives  from  the  bridge.' 
St.  Leger,  who  was  in  Webb's  regiment, 
behaved  gallantly  near  the  bridge  in 
checking  the  flight  of  the  French,  and 
was  slightly  wpunded.  In  July,  1760, 
he  was  appointed  brigade  major  prepara- 
tory to  marching  to  Montreal,  and  he 
became  major  of  the  95th  Foot,  August 
i6th,  1762.  Upon  that  regiment's  being 
reduced  at  the  peace  of  1763  he  went 
upon  half-pay.  He  became  a  lieutenant 
colonel  in  the  army,  May  25th,  1772, 
and  the  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  34th 
Foot,  May  aoth,  1775. 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book.  4.7 


— 4th.  P.  King  George.  Detail  of  the  Guard 
for  to  Morrow;  34th  Regt  i  Corpl  i  Drumr  & 
6  Pr.  Kings  Royal  Regt  of  New  York  i  Sergt 
and  1 2  privates. 

Regt  Orders  for  Guard  to  Morrow  Ens  Craw- 
ford. 

— 5th.  P.  Burgoyne.  Detail  of  the  Guard  for 
to  Morrow,  34th  Regt  i  C.  i  D.  7  P. ;  R.  York- 
ers i  S.  i  2  P. ;  Jessup's  Corps  i  L.  i  C.  7  P.  To- 
tal i  L.  i  S.  2  C.  i  D.  26  P. 

— 6th  June.     P.  Gray.      C.  Ancrum.    Every 


"  The  Annual  Register  for  1 773,  under 
date  of  April  yth,  contains  a  notice  of 
the  marriage  of  "  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Barry  St.  Leger,  nephew  of  the  late  Lord 
Viscount  Doneraile,  and  fellow  of  St. 
Peter's  College,  Cambridge,  to  Lady 
Mansel,  widow  of  Sir  Edward  Mansel,  of 
Trinsaran,  South  Wales." 

"In  the  spring  of  1776  his  regiment 
formed  a  part  of  the  re-inforcement  sent 
over  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  and  he  accom- 
panied it  to  Canada.  He  took  part  in 
Sir  Guy's  operations  in  1776,  and  the 
next  year,  acting  as  a  brigadier,  he  led  the 
force  which  was  intended  to  move  from 
Oswego  by  the  way  of  Oneida  Lake  and 
Wood  creek  to  the  Mohawk,  thence 
down  the  river  to  Albany,  where  a  junc- 
tion was  to  be  effected  with  Burgoyne. 
The  termination  of  the  affair,  so  unfor- 
tunate for  its  commander,  is  well  known. 
His  report  to  Gen.  Burgoyne  of  his  ope- 
ratio'ns  before  Fort  Stanwix,  or  Schuyler, 
dated  Oswego,  August  27th,  1777,  is  to 
be  found  in  the  appendix  of  the  State  of 
the  Expedition. 

"Sir  Guy  Carleton  evidently  thought  St. 
Leger  lacking  in  vigor  in  disciplining  his 
troops,  as  shown  by  the  former's  letter  to 
•Gen.  McLean,  which  is  as  follows  : 


*  HEAD  QUARTERS,  •» 
QUEBEC,  24th  July,  1777.  / 
*  .*  Lieut.  Col.  St.  Leger  may  be  in- 
formed that  he  ought  to  have  seized  and 
sent  down  here  in  irons  those  Canadians 
whom  he  mentions  having  held  such 
conversations  to,  and  occasioned  the  de- 
sertion of,  Capt.  Rouville's  company. 
Two  men  for  each  deserter  are  to  be  de- 
manded, upon  pain  of  military  execution, 
from  the  parishes  to  which  the  deserters 
belong;  and  the  captains  of  militia  are  to 
be  enjoined  to  find  the  deserters  them- 
selves, and  safely  conduct  them  to  where 
you  shall  direct,  in  order  to  their  being 
sent  prisoners  to  the  companies  from 
which  they  deserted,  there  to  be  tried 
and  punished.' 

"  September  23d,  1777,  St.  Leger's  force 
was  sent  to  Ticonderoga  to  be  subject  to 
Gen.  Burgoyne's  orders,  but,  as  commu- 
nication with  Burgoyne  was  interrupted, 
St.  Leger  did  not  proceed  south  of  Ticon- 
deroga, and  when  that  fortress  was  aban- 
doned in  November  of  that  year,  he 
returned  to  Canada.  He  became  a 
colonel  in  the  army  November  I7th, 
1780,  and  a  brigadier  general  in  the  army 
in  Canada,  October  2ist,  1782,  his  com- 
mand consisting  of  the  troops  '  on  the 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


Soldier  off  Duty  or  Regt  work  must  be  under 
Arms  at  the  times  appointed  Except  those  noty- 
fy'd  by  the  Surgeon  as  too  ill  to  appear — the 
want  of  any  part  of  their  Necessarys  will  not  be 
admitted  as  an  Excuse.  Coll :  St.  Ledger  thinks 
proper  to  observe  to  the  Kings  Royal  Regt  of 
New  York,  That  the  Surest  Method  of  Making 
the  Noble  &  honorable  zeal  they  have  Lately 
manifested  to  their  King  and  Countrys  interest 


Island  of  Montreal,  Isle  of  Jesus,  Miller 
Island  as  far  as  Couteau  du  Lac  upon  the 
north,  and  from  thence  to  La  Prairie 
exclusive  on  the  south  side  of  the  river 
St.  Lawrence.'  He  was  commandant  of 
his  Majesty's  forces  in  Canada  in  the 
autumn  of  1784,  and  his  name  appears 
in  the  army  list'  for  the  last  t'me  in 
1785.  Wm.  C.  Bryant,  in  the  American 
Historical  Record  for  1874,  p.  435,  says 
he  died  in  1789,  when  he  was  a  little 
past  fifty  years  of  age. 

"  It  is  not  easy  from  the  data  that  have 
come  down  to  us  to  form  a  clear  idea  of 
St.  Leger's  character.  His  letter  to  Gen. 
Schuyler,  dated  November  7th,  1781,  in 
reference  to  some  of  the  latter's  silver 
that  had  been  plundered  by  a  British 
scouting  party,  does  not  reflect  upon  St. 
Leger  discreditably,  but  his  duplicity  in 
trying  to  induce  the  garrison  of  Fort 
Schuyler  to  surrender,  cannot  legitimately 
be  included  under  the  term,  military 
strategy,  and  his  message  holding  out  the 
terrors  of  unrestrained  savage  allies  was 
so  barbarous  that  Col.  Willett  character- 
ized it  as  'a  degrading  one  for  a  British 
officer  to  send,  and  by  no  means  reputable 
for  a  British  officer  to  carry.'  The  testi- 
mony of  Squire  Ferris,  likewise,  who  was 
an  American  prisoner  in  Canada  in  the 
spring  of  1779,  is  of  the  most  unflattering 
description.  Speaking  of  a  party  of  fellow 
prisoners  who  had  attempted  to  escape, 
Fenis  says,  '  for  four  days  before  they 


were  retaken,  they  had  nothing  for  food 
but  tea,  and  were  so  weak  they  could 
hardly  walk.  The  forces  at  St.  John's 
were  commanded  by  Col.  St.  Leger,  a 
brutal  drunkard,  who  ordered  the  prisoners 
to  be  ironed  together,  and  put  them  in  a 
dungeon  for  fourteen  days,  at  the  end  of 
which  time,  and  ironed  hand  in  hand  to 
each  other,  they  were  sent  to  Chamblee, 
and  from  there  by  the  rivers  Sorel  and 
St.  Lawrence  to  Quebec.' 

"  Authorities  :  Army  Lists ;  Stone's  Bur- 
goyne's  Campaign  and  St.  Leger's  Expedi- 
tion ;  New  York  Colonial  Hist.  Doc. ,  vui, 
714;  Annual  Register  for  1773,  p.  160; 
Siviffs  History  of  Middlebury,  f^t.,  p.  92; 
Quebec  Gazette,  Nov.  25,  1784;  Haldi- 
mand's  Papers,  Register  of  Letters  from  Sir 
G.  Carleton,  1776-1778,  Vol.  n,  p.  24; 
Idem,  General  Orders  by  Sir  Guy  Carletor. 
and  Gen.  Haldimand,  1776-1783,  p.  208  ; 
Idem,  Register  of  Letters  from  Sir  Guy 
Carleton  to  -various  persons,  1776—1778, 
Vol.  I,  p.  627  ;  Magazine  of  American 
History,  vi,  p.  289  ;  Narrative  of  the 
Military  Actions  of  Colonel  Marinus 
Willett." 

Upon  St.  Leger's  return  home  after  the 
war,  he  was  stationed  for  a  time  in  Dub- 
lin, where  he  seems  to  have  led  a  rolick- 
ing  kind  of  life  with  a  few  choice  spirits 
like  himself.  One  of  his  adventures 
during  his  stay  in  that  city  is  given  (as 
illustrative  of  this  period  of  his  life)  in 
Appendix,  No.  III. 


Johnsorfs  Orderly  Book.  49 

take  the  Effect  they  ardently  wish  for,  as  well  as 
to  Repossess  themselves  of  the  peace  &  property 
which  has  been  most  illegaly  wrested  from  them, 
is  to  give  a  Constant  &  unwearied  attention  to 
the  learning  of  Military  Discipline  which  will 
give  them  Superiority  over  the  Confused  Rabble 
they  have  to  deal  with.1  All  orders  Relative  to 
the  men  to  be  read  to  them  at  the  Evening  Pa- 
rade By  an  officer  of  each  Compy.  Detail m  of 
the  Gd.  for  to  morw  :  34th  Regt.i  C.  i  D.  5  P. ; 
K.  R.  Y.  i  L.  i  S.  8  P. ;  Jessup's  Corps  5  P. 
Total  i  L.  i  S.  i  C.  i  D.  18  P.  Ens  Byrne  for 
Guard  to  Morrow. 

— 7th.  P.  Oswegatchie.  C.  Fort  Stanwix. 
Details  of  the  Guard  for  to  Morrow.  34th  Regt 
i  C.  8  P. ;  Kings  Royal  Regt  N.  York  i  L.  i  S. 
I  C.  i  D.  12  P. ;  Jessup's  Corps  i  S.  i  C.  6  P. 
Total  i  L.  2  S.  2  C.  i  D.  26  P.  Ens  Wall  for 
the  Guard  to  Morrow. 

-8th.    P.   St.  Johns.     C.  Oneida.    A  Weekly 

1  St.  Leger,  like  Clinton,  and  in  fact,  to  have  been  a  favorite  one  with  Sir  John, 

every  English  officer  at  tSis  time  except  notwithstanding  his  subsequent  hard  ex- 

Bargoyne  (after  his  defeat)  and  the  good  perience,  since  in  a  letter  to  Joseph  Brant, 

and  wise  Carleton,  seems  to  have  enter-  under  date  of  May  i6th,  1787,116  writes: 

tained  a  supreme  contempt  for  his  Amer-  "  I  must  own  I  give  little  credit  to  the  re- 

ican  foes.  Still,  Sir  John  Johnson,  from  ports  of  the  American's  preparations  to 

his  intercourse  with  his  father,  should  attack  the  Posts;  *  *  but  even  such  an 

have  known  better,  since  Sir  William,  in  attempt  can  only  be  made  by  the  lawless 

a  letter  to  the  Ministry,  written  shortly  rabble  on  the  southern  frontiers".  British 

before  his  death,  particularly  warns  them  regulars,  however,  were  never  just  to 

against  entertaining  the  erroneous  impres-  provincials  or  militia  even  of  their  own 

sion  that  the  Americans  ivcrc  not  brave  side.  They  gave  them  invariably  the 

and  "would  not  fight.  Stone's  Life  of  Sir  hardest  work  and  no  gratitude.  See  Sted- 

ff^m.  Johnson.  man  and  de  Peyster. 

The  word  "Rabble"  however,  appears 

7 


50  ^Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

State[ment]  shall  be  given  in  to  Morrow  Morn- 
ing to  Lt.  Crafts  of  the  Strength  of  each  Corps. 
Detail  of  the  Guard  for  to  Morrow.  34th  Regt 
i  C.  6  P. ;  K.  R.  R.  N.  Y.  i  L.  i  S.  i  D.  7  P. 
Jessup's  Corps  5  P. 

GENL  ORDERS. — the  Corps  Under  the  Com- 
mand of  Coll  St.  Leger  to  be  Paid  Subsistence  to 
the  24th  of  August. 

^~9th.  P.  Burgoyne.  C.  Phillips.  General 
Ordes — When  Uny  Calash1  or  Carts,  horses  or 
Men  are  wanting  for  the  service,  Application 
must  be  Made  for  an  Order  from  Coll  St  Leger, 
the  officers  and  Non  Commiss'd  officers  being  in 
every  Sense  Responsible  for  the  behaviour  of  their 
men  must  keep  a  Strict  eye  Upon  their  Conduct. 
By  which  Means  a  stop  will  be  put  to  the  Frequent 
Complaints  Made  that  are  not  only  Dishonour- 
able to  a  Soldier  but  some  Deserving  the  Cord.* 

1  The  calash  is  a  carriage  very  gene-  cumbersome.  It  is  studded  with  brass 
rally  used  in  Lower  Canada,  and  there  nails  ;  and  to  particular  parts  of  it  are 
is  scarcely  a  farmer,  indeed,  in  the  attached  small  bells,  "of  no  use  that  I 
country  who  does  not  possess  one.  It  could  ever  discover,"  naively  says  Weld, 
is  a  sort  of  one  horse  chaise,  capable  "  but  to  annoy  the  passenger."  Those 
of  holding  two  people  besides  the  driver,  tourists,  who  have  visited  Quebec  and 
who  sits  on  a  kind  of  box  placed  over  the  have  taken  one  of  these  unique  con- 
foot-board  expressly  for  his  accommoda-  veyances  (the  only  ones,  in  fact,  to  be 
tion.  The  body  of  the  calash  is  hung  procured)  to  visit  the  Falls  of  the  Mont- 
upon  broad  straps  of  leather,  fastened  to  morencey,  will,  on  reading  this,  readily 
iron  rollers  that  are  placed  behind,  by  recall  his  own  particular  calash  and 
means  of  which  they  are  shortened  or  driver  with  his  little  red  cap  and  pipe, 
lengthened.  On  each  side  of  the  carriage  which  he  hired  on  that  occasion  ! 
is  a  little  door  about  two  feet  high,  where- 
by one  enters  it ;  and  which  is  useful  a  It  is  a  great  pity  that  when  St.  Leger 
when  shut,  in  preventing  anything  from  was  so  particular  in  enforcing  discipline 
slipping  out.  The  harness  for  the  horse  among  his  regulars,  he  did  not  apply  the 
is,  even  to  the  present  day,  made  in  the  same  principles  of  humanity  to  the  con- 
old  French  fashion,  extremely  heavy  and  duct  of  his  Indians.  Indeed,  it  is  a  well 


yohnson's  Orderly  Book.  51 


A  Patrol  must  go  from  the  Main  Guard  at  Tattoo 
Beating,  which  is  to  make  Prisoners  of  all  sol- 
diers or  Non  Commiss'd  Officers  they  find  in 
them —  They  are  likewise  to  order  to  their  Can- 
tonments all  Stragglers. 


known  fact  substantiated  by  the  affidavits 
of  Moses  Younglove  and  others,  that  St. 
Leger  not  only  offered  a  reward  for  each 
scalp  brought  in  by  the  Indians,  but  also 
in  various  other  ways,  encouraged  cruelty 
among  his  dusky  allies.  There  are  many 
instances  to  prove  this  ;  let  one  or  two 
suffice.  Col.  Gansevoort,  writing  to  Gen. 
Schuyler  from  Fort  Stanwix,  under  date 
of  June  26th,  1777,  says  :  "  Col.  Madison 
was  killed  and  scalped.  Capt.  Gregg  was 
shot  through  his  back,  tomahawked  and 
scalped,  and  is  still  alive."  "About 
noon,"  also  says  the  late  Col.  Stone  in 
his  account  of  this  expedition,  "  on  the 
3d  of  July,  Col.  Willett  was  startled  by 
the  report  of  musketry.  Hastening  to 
the  parapet  of  the  glacis,  he  saw  a  little 
girl  running  with  a  basket  in  her  hand, 
while  the  blood  was  trickling  down  her 
bosom.  On  investigating  the  facts,  it 
appeared  that  the  girl,  with  two  others, 
was  picking  berries,  not  two  hundred 
yards  from  the  fort,  when  they  were  fired 
upon  by  a  party  of  Indians  and  two  of  the 
number  killed.  One  of  the  girls  killed 
was  the  daughter  of  an  invalid,  who  had 
served  many  years  in  the  British  Artillery. 
He  was  entitled  to  a  situation  in  the 
Chelsea  Hospital,  but  had  preferred  rather 
to  remain  in  the  cultivation  of  a  small 
piece  of  ground  at  Fort  Stanwix,  than 
again  to  cross  the  ocean." 

The  statement  of  Younglove,  more- 
jver  that  St.  Leger  offered  a  reward  for 
.scalps,  bears  the  stamp  of  probability. 
Certainly,  in  the  war  of  1812,  when  the 
principles  of  humanity  might  be  supposed 
to  be  further  advanced,  the  British  govern- 
ment, to  put  it  mildly,  approved,  at  least, 
of  the  taking  of  scalps  by  the  Indians. 


In  the  manuscript  history  of  the  i6th 
Pennsylvania  Infantry  in  the  service  of 
the  United  States  during  the  war  of  1812, 
commanded  by  Col.  Cromwell  Pearce, 
occurs  this  passage  :  "  In  the  reports  of 
brigade  Major  Charles  D.  Hunter  and 
Lieutenant  Hayden  of  the  fatigue  party 
who  buried  the  dead  at  the  battle  of 
York,  Upper  Canada,  now  Toronto, 
made  to  Cromwell  Pearce,  colonel  of  the 
1 6th  U.  S.  Infantry,  and  upon  whom 
the  command  devolved  after  the  death  of 
Gen.  Zebulon  M.  Pike,  they  say  :  'A 
human  scalp  was  found  suspended  in  the 
Legislative  Hall  near  the  speaker's  chair, 
an  emblem  of  the  manner  and  spirit  in 
which  his  Britannic  Majesty  carried  on 
the  war.'  Of  this  and  some  other  trophies 
Commodore  Chauncey  gave  the  following 
account  in  a  letter  to  the  secretary  of  the 
navy  :  '  Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  present 
to  you,  by  the  hands  of  Lieutenant 
Dudley,  the  British  standard  taken  at 
York  on  the  27th  of  April  last,  accom- 
panied by  the  mace,  over  which  hung 
a  human  scalp.  These  articles  were 
taken  from  the  Parliament  House  by  one 
of  my  officers  and  presented  to  me.  The 
scalp  I  caused  to  be  presented  to  General 
Dearborn,  who,  I  believe,  still  has  it  in 
his  possession.'"  See  Stewart  Pearce,  in 
the  American  Historical  Record,  vol.  ill, 
p.  420.  Before,  however,  dismissing 
this  subject,  the  reader  should,  in  justice 
to  St.  Leger,  be  referred  to  that  officer's 
letter  to  Lieut.  Bird  printed  in  this 
volume  just  after  the  Orderly  Book.  At 
the  same  time,  it  may  be  remarked  that 
facts  prove  more  than  general  declarations 
on  paper. 


52  Johnsoris  Orderly  Book. 


Detail  of  the  Guard.  34th  Regt  i  S.  i  D.  9 
P. ;  K.  R.  Yorkers  2  S.  i  C.  1 5  P.  ;  Jessup's 
Corps  i  L.  i  C.  4?  P.  Total  i  L.  3  S.  2  C.  i  D. 
28  P. 

REGT  ORDERS — A  Regtl  Court  Martial  to  sit 
to  Morrow  Morning  at  1 1  o'clock,  Lt.  Singleton 
President.  Members — Ens  Burne,  Ens  McKen- 
zie,  Ens  McDonell  &  Ens  Phillips,  to  try  such 
Prisoners  as  may  be  brought  before  them. 

—  loth.  P.  Castle  Johnson.1  C.  Fort  Hun- 
ter. Detail  of  the  Guard  for  to  Morrow,  34th 
to  Give  i  S.  6  P.;  K.  R.  R.  N.Y.  i  L.  i  S.  i  C. 
9  P. ;  Jessup's  Corps  i  S.  3  P.  Total  i  L.  i  C. 
18  P. 

R.  O.     Its  the  Commanding  Officers  Positive 


1  Castle,  or  Fort  Johnson,  an  old 
massive  stone  mansion  on  the  north  bank 
of  the  Mohawk,  two  and  a-half  miles 
west  of  the  village  of  Amsterdam,  N.  Y., 
and  seen  by  the  traveler  on  the  right- 
hand  side  of  the  west-bound  train.  It 
was  built  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  in 
1742  (where  he  resided  some  twenty 
years  previous  to  his  erection  of  Johnson 
Hall  at  Johnstown,  N.  Y.),  and  went  by 
the  name  of  Fort  Johnson,  Castle  John- 
son and  Mount  Johnson.  A  writer,  in 
giving  an  itinerary  of  the:  Mohawk  Valley 
between  Oswego  and  Albany,  in  1757, 
thus  describes  Fort  Johnson  :  "  Col.  [Sir 
William]  Johnson's  mansion  is  situate 
on  the  border  of  the  left  bank  of  the 
river  Mohawk.  It  is  three  stories  high; 
built  of  stone,  with  port-holes  (crenelee's) 
and  a  parapet  and  flanked  with  four  bas- 
tions on  which  are  some  small  guns.  In 
the  same  yard,  on  both  sides  of  the 
mansion,  there  are  two  [small  houses  ; 
that  on  the  right  of  the  entrance  is  a 


store,  and  that  on  the  left  is  designed  for 
workmen,  negroes  and  other  domestics 
The  yard-gate  is  a  heavy  swing  gate  well 
ironed  ;  it  is  on  the  Mohawk  river  side; 
from  this  gate  to  the  river  there  is  about 
200  paces  of  level  ground.  The  high 
road  passes  there  [now  the  N.  Y.  Central 
R.  R.].  A  small  rivulet  coming  from 
the  north  empties  itself  into  the  Mohawk 
river,  about  200  paces  below  the  enclosure 
of  the  yard.  [This  stream  is  now  called 
'  Old  Fort  Creek.']  On  this  stream  there 
is  a  mill  about  fifty  paces  distance  from 
the  house ;  below  the  mill  is  the  miller's 
house  where  grain  and  flour  are  stored, 
and  on  the  other  side  of  the  creek  100 
paces  from  the  mill,  is  a  barn  in  which 
cattle  and  fodder  are  kept.  150  paces 
from  Colonel  Johnson's  mansion  at  the 
north  side,  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
creek,  is  a  little  hill  on  which  is  a  small 
house  with  port-holes,  where  is  ordinarily 
kept  a  guard  of  honor  of  some  twenty 
men,  which  serves  also  as  an  advanced 


^Johnson's   Orderly  Book.  53 

orders  that  the  Men  do  Not  wear  their  shoes 
when  they  go  out  a  fishing. 

G[ENERAL]  AFTER  ORDERS.  At  the  Evening 
Exercise  After  the  priming  and  loading  Motions 
are  over,  the  34th  and  K.  R.  R.  N.  Y.  will  be 
Joined,  the  34th  making  the  Right  Wing,  while 
the  others  form  the  left.  This  Body  will  be 
Exercis'd  by  Lt  Crofts  of  the  34th  Regt. 

-nth.     P.   [-     -].     C.   \ J.     Detail    of 

the  Guard  for  to  Morrow.  34th  Regt  to  give  i 
S.  i  C.  i  D.  9  P. ;  K.  R  R.  N.  Y.  i  L.  2  S.  i  C, 
14  P. ;  Jessup's  Corp  S.  5  P.  Total  i  L.  3  S.  2 
C,  i  D.  28  P. 

G.  O.  A  field  Return  of  each  Corps  to  be 
given  to  Lieut  Crofts  whenever  the  Men  are  Un- 


post."  The  mansion  is  still  (1882) 
standing,  a  substantial  specimen  of  the 
domestic  architecture  of  thac  period. 


A  mile  and  one-half  east  of  Castle  John-     west. 


son  is  ''Guy  Park,"  long  the  residence 
of  Col.  Guy  Johnson,  the  nephew  and 
son-in-law  of  Sir  William.  Like  Fort 
Johnson  and  Johnson  Hall,  it  was  often 
the  scene  of  Indian  conferences,  among 
the  most  noted  of  which  was  a  council 
held  between  the  Mohawk  nation  and 
delegates  from  the  Albany  and  Tryon 
County  Committees,  in  May,  1775,  on 
which  occasion  Little  Abraham,  the 
principal  sachem  of  the  Lower  Mohawk 
Castle  and  the  brother  of  King  Hendrick, 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Lake  George  in 
1755,  was  the  chief  speaker.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  public  excitement  in 
1775  the  "Park"  was  abandoned  by 
Col.  Guy  Johnson,  who  accompanied  by 
his  family  and  a  few  faithful  Indians,  fled, 
by  way  of  Oswego,  to  Montreal.  It  is 
yet  (1881)  standing  (the  first  stone  house 
west  of  Amsterdam  and  greatly  enlarged 
from  the  original)  on  the  banks  of  the 
Mohawk,  and  on  the  left  of  trains  going 


54-  Johnson  s  Orderly  Book. 

der  arms  for  the  Information  of  the  Command- 
ing officer — -Its  Lieut  Coll  Sir  John  Johnsons 
orders  that  the  Commissioned,  Non  Commiss- 
ioned officers  Drummers  and  Private  Men  of  the 
Kings  Royal  Regt  of  New  York  attend  Exercise 
Every  Day  for  the  future  at  the  hour  appointed. 
Ens  Phillips  for  Guard  to  Morrow. 

—  1 2th.  P.  Sopees.  [Esopus,  N.  Y.]     C.  Ken- 
derwhoffe.     Detail  of  the  Guard  for  to  Morrow 
34th  Regt  to  give  i  S.  5  P. ;  K.   R.  R.  N.  Y.  2 
S.   i    C.   i  D.  9  P. ;  Jessup's   Corps   i    L.   4  P. 
Total   i  L.  2  S.  i  C.  i  D.  18  P. 

—  1 3th.   P.  Howe.   C.    Cornwallis.     Detail  of 
the  Guard  for  to  Morrow   34th  Regt  to  give  i  S. 
i  C.  j  D.  9  P.    K.  R.  R.  N.  Y.  i  L.  i  S.  i  C.    14 
P. ;  Jessup's  Corps  i   S.   5   P.  Total   i  L.   3  S.  2 
C.  i  D.  28  P. 

G[ENERAL]  O[RDERS].  As  Cleanliness  and  a 
Strict  Attention  to  Duty  are  Indespensable  Ne- 
cessaries in  a  Soldier,  Colonel  St  Leger  Desires  the 
troops  Under  his  Command  may  be  Immediately 
furnished  with  Necessary  s&  Each  a  black  Stock. 
Officers  must  Inspect  their  Men  Every  morning, 
when  they  will  correct  any  Man  that  comes 
Slovenly  to  the  Parade ;  they  will  Likewise  Re- 
member that  for  the  future  he  will  impute  to 
their  Inattention  the  un-Soldier  Like  Parade  he 
Observed  this  Morning. 


"Johnson  s  Ordefly  Book.  55 


HEAD  QUARTERS  MONTREAL 

—i 7th  June  1777.  G.  O.  Those  Regments 
&  other  Departments  who  have  not  Rendered 
Receipts  for  provisions  &  Rum  are  desired  to 
send  forthwith  the  three  Receipts  of  the  same 
tenor  &  Date  According  to  a  form  Sent  for  that 
purpose  to  Complete  a  Settlement  with  the  Com- 
missary Genii  to  the  24th  of  May  ;  the  troops 
intended  to  Remain  in  Canada  &  Stationed  in 
the  District  of  Montreal  to  Report  [toj  Brigr 
Genl  MacLean.1 


1  Colonel  Allan  MacLean,  of  Torloish, 
and  a  warm  friend  of  Sir  John  Johnson 
and  Colonel  Daniel  Claus,  with  both  of 
whom  he  frequently  consulted,  was,  in 
1747,  lieutenant  in  the  Scotch  Brigade, 
which  also  went  by  the  name  of  the 
"  Dutch  Brigade,"  from  the  circumstance 
of  its  being  at  the  time  in  the  pay  of  the 
States  General.  In  cutting  his  way 
through  the  French  lines  at  the  famous 
seige  of  Bergen  op  Zoom,  Lieutenant 
MacLean  was  taken  prisoner  and  imme- 
diately admitted  to  parole  by  General 
Lowendahl,  with  this  complimentary 
address  :  "  had  all  conducted  themselves 
at  you  and  your  brave  corps,  have  done, 
I  should  not  now  be  master  of  Bergen  op 
Zoom."  Having  left  the  Dutch  service 
he  obtained  a  company  in  the  6zd  or 
First  Highland  Battalion  on  its  organiza- 
tion in  1757.  With  this  regiment  whose 
number  was  afterwards  changed  to  the 
77th,  he  came  to  America  and  served 
under  Forbes  at  the  taking  of  Fort  Du 
Quesne,  in  1758,  and,  in  the  following 
year,  was  with  Amherst  in  the  expedition 
up  the  northern  lakes.  He  raised  the  I  I4th 
Highland  regiment  in  1759,  of  which  he 
was  appointed  major  commanding ;  but 


it  was  reduced,  in  1763,  and  Major  Mac 
Lean  went  on  half-pay.  On  25  May, 
i  77 1 ,  he  became  lieutenant  colonel  in  the 
army,  but  was  not  again  called  into  active 
service  until  1775,  wnen  the  scheme 
was  concocted  to  raise  men  in  America 
to  support  the  royal  cause.  With  that 
warrant  and  some  followers,  Col.  Mac- 
Lean  came  to  New  York  in  the  spring 
of  1775;  next  visited  Boston,  where  his 
scheme  got  wind  ;  then  hastened  back  to 
New  York  ;  repaired  to  Col.  Guy  Johnson 
on  the  Mohawk  river,  and  thence  pro- 
ceeded to  Oswego  and  so  to  Canada, 
where  he  collected  in  the  course  of  the 
summer,  a  body  of  men,  chiefly  Scotch 
refugees  and  disbanded  soldiers,  formerly 
belonging  to  the  42d,  77th  and  78tb 
Highlanders,  under  the  title  of  the  Royal 
Highland  Emigrants."  On  the  approach 
of  the  American  army  by  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  Colonel  MacLean  was  ordered  to 
St.  Johns  with  a  par-y  of  militia  but  got 
only  as  far  as  St.  Denis  when  he  was 
deserted  by  his  men.  Quebec  being  next 
threatened  by  the  American  army  under 
Arnold,  Col.  MacLean  made  the  best  of 
his  way  to  that  city,  which  he  entered 
on  the  1 2th  November,  1775,  just  in  time 


56  Johnson? s  Orderly  Book. 


—  1 8th  June  1777.  Promotions.  His  Excel- 
ency  the  Commander  in  Chief  has  been  pleased 
to  make  the  following  Promotions  in  the  Army 
Under  his  Command  : 

Royal  R.  N.  Y.  Alex.  McDonald1  to  be  Capt 
in  the  Room  of  Lieut.  Brown  who  returned  to 
the  3ist  Regt — 6th  June,  1777. 


to  prevent  the  citizens  surrendering  the 
place  to  the  Americans.  His  conduct 
during  the  seige  is  mentioned  in  the  hand- 
somest terms.  But  after  all  his  zeal,  his 
corps  was  not  yet  recognized,  though  he 
had  at  the  outset  been  promised  estab- 
lishment and  rank  for  it.  He  therefore 
returned  to  England,  where  he  arrived  on 
the  ist  September,  1776,  to  seek  justice 
for  himself  and  men.  Returning  to 
America,  he  did  good  service  ;  and  dur- 
ing the  Burgoyne  campaign  he  was  often 
trusted  by  Sir  Guy  Carleton.  This  is 
evident  from  the  fact  that,  after  the  fail- 
ure of  St.  Leger's  expedition,  Carleton 
(according  to  the  Haldimand  papers) 
ordered  McLean  to  take  command  of 
Lt.  Col.  St.  Leger's  corps  and  the  3ist 
Regiment,  together  with  a  detachment 
of  artillery  under  Lieut.  Glenny  to  go 
to  Brig.  Gen.  PowePs  relief,  who  at 
last  accounts,  had  been  attacked  and 
besieged  at  Ticonderoga  by  the  American 
Col.  Brown."  The  3151  and  the  artil- 
lery detachment  were  to  return  to  Canada 
after  the  object  of  the  errand  was  accomp- 
lished, but  Lt.  Col.  St.  Leger,  and  the 
rest  .of  the  troops  sent,  were  to  be 
subject  to  Gen.  Burgoyne's  orders. 
His  regiment,  however,  were  not  re- 
ceived until  the  close  of  1778,  when 
the  regiment,  which  consisted  of  two 
battalions,  one  in  Canada  and  one  in 
Nova  Scotia,  became  the  8th  Foot.  In 
January,  1780,  he  was  appointed  colonel 
in  the  army.  The  Royal  Highland  Emi- 
grants were  disbanded  in  1783  and  Col. 
MacLean  died  in  1784.  Callaban  Army 


Lists;  Brown's  Highland  Clans,  IV,  2.42, 
307,  368  j  Smith's  Canada,  II,  83  j  Gar- 
neau's  Canada,  zd  Ed.t  n,  436;  Amer- 
ican Annals,  I. 

1  Alexander  McDonald  and  the  John 
McDonald,  mentioned  a  line  or  two  in 
advance,  were  Tory  roman  catholic 
Scotchmen,  who,  until  the  beginning  of 
hostilities,  had  resided  in  the  vicinity  of 
Johnstown  in  the  Mohawk  Valley. 
Having  been  permitted  by  Gen.  Schuyler 
to  revisit  their  families,  they,  in  the 
month  of  March,  1777,  again  ran  off  to 
Canada,  taking  with  them  the  residue  of 
the  roman  catholic  Scotch  settlers, 
together  with  some  of  the  loyalist  Ger- 
mans, their  former  neighbors.  In  1778, 
Alexander  McDonald,  who  appears  to 
have  been  a  man  of  considerable  enter- 
prise and  activity,  collected  a  force  of 
three  hundred  Tories  and  Indians,  and 
fell  with  great  fury  upon  the  frontiers,  the 
Dutch  settlements  of  Schoharie,  especially, 
feeling  "  all  his  barbarity  and  exter- 
minating rage."  One  example  of  his 
cruelty  and  bloodthirstiness  is  given  by 
Sims,  in  his  Trappers  of  New  York,  as 
follows : 

"  On  the  morning  of  October  25,  1781, 
a  large  body  of  the  enemy  under  Maj. 
Ross,  entered  Johnstown  with  several 
prisoners,  and  not  a  little  plunder  ;  among 
which  was  a  number  of  human  scalps 
taken  the  afternoon  and  night  previous,  in 
settlements  in  and  adjoining  the  Mohawk 
valley ;  to  which  was  added  the  scalp  of 
Hugh  McMonts,  a  constable,  who  was 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


57 


John  McDonald1  to  be  Capt  Lieut,  in  the 
Room  of  Capt  Lieut  Hewetson — i9th  June, 
1777. 

Ens  William  Byrne  to  be  Lieut  in  the  Room 
of  Lieut  Grant — 6th  June,  1777.  Volunteer 
Lipscomp  to  be  Ens  vice  Byrne,  Do. 


surprised  and  killed  as  they  entered  Johns- 
town. In  the  course  of  the  day  the 
troops  from  the  garrisons  near  and  the 
militia  from  the  surrounding  country, 
rallied  under  the  active  and  daring  Willett, 
and  gave  the  enemy  battle  on  the  Hall 
farm,  in  which  the  latter  were  finally 
defeated  with  loss,  and  made  good  their 
retreat  into  Canada.  Young  Scarborough 
was  then  in  the  nine  months'  service, 
and  while  the  action  was  going  on,  him- 
self and  one  Crosset  left  the  Johnstown 
fort,  where  they  were  on  garrison  duty, 
to  join  in  the  fight,  less  than  two  miles 
distant.  Between  the  Hall  and  woods 
they  soon  found  themselves  engaged. 
Crosset  after  shooting  down  one  or  two, 
received  a  bullet  through  one  hand,  but 
winding  a  handkerchief  around  it  he 
continued  the  fight  under  cover  of  a 
hemlock  stump.  He  was  shot  down  and 
killed  there,  and  his  companion  sur- 
rounded and  made  prisoner  by  a  party 
of  Scotch  troops  commanded  by  Capt. 
McDonald.  When  Scarsborough  was 
captured,  Capt.  McDonald  was  not  present, 
but  the  moment  he  saw  him  he  ordered 
his  men  to  shoot  him  down.  Several 
refused ;  but  three,  shall  I  call  them  men  ? 
obeyed  the  dastardly  order,  and  yet  he 
possibly  would  have  survived  his  wounds, 
had  not  the  miscreant  in  authority  cut 
him  down  with  his  own  broadsword. 
The  sword  was  caught  in  its  first  descent, 
and  the  valiant  captain  drew  it  out,  cut- 
ting the  hand  nearly  in  two."  This 
was  the  same  McDonald  who,  in  1779, 
figured  in  the  battle  of  the  Chemung, 
together  with  Sir  John  and  Guy  John- 
son and  Walter  N.  Butler. 


1  This  officer,  of  Sir  John  Johnson's 
regiment,  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Oriskany  by  Capt.  Jacob  Gardenier,  an 
officer,  who  during  that  memorable  day, 
performed  prodigies  of  valor.  The  cir- 
cumstances of  his  death  were  as  follows  : 
At  the  beginning  of  the  action,  John- 
son's "  Royal  Greens "  (so  called,  un- 
officially, on  account  of  their  green  coats), 
disguised  themselves  as  American  troops 
and  by  this  ruse  approached  very  near  to 
Herkimer's  command  before  the  trick 
was  discovered.  "  Johnson's  men  con- 
tinued to  advance  until  hailed  by  Gar- 
denier,  at  which  moment  one  of  his  own 
soldiers,  observing  an  acquaintance,  and 
supposing  him  a  friend,  ran  to  meet  him, 
and  presented  his  hand.  It  was  grasped, 
but  with  no  friendly  gripe,  as  the  credu- 
lous fellow  was  dragged  into  the  opposing 
line  and  informed  that  he  was  a  prisoner. 
He  did  not  yield  without  a  struggle ; 
during  which  Gardenier,  watching  the 
action  and  the  result  sprung  forward,  and 
with  a  blow  from  his  spear  levelled  the 
captor  to  the  dust  and  liberated  his 
man.  Others  of  the  foe  instantly  set 
upon  him,  of  whom  he  slew  the  second 
and  wounded  a  third.  Three  of  the  dis- 
guised Greens  now  sprang  upon  him,  and 
one  of  his  spurs  becoming  entangled  in 
their  clothing,  he  was  thrown  to  the 
ground.  Still  contending,  however,  with 
almost  superhuman  strength,  both  of 
his  thighs  were  transfixed  to  the  earth  by 
the  bayonets  of  two  of  his  assailants, 
while  the  third  presented  a  bayonet  to  his 
breast,  as  if  to  thrust  him  through. 
Seizing  this  bayonet  with  his  left  hand, 
by  a  sudden  wrench  he  brought  its  owner 


58  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

To  Sir  John  Johnson  or  officer  commdng 
the  Royal  Regt  of  New  York. 

WM  DUNBAR,  Majr  of  Brigade.1 

LACHINE 

1777,  June  1 4th.  P.  Connecticut.  C.  Phila- 
delphia. 

G.  O.  The  party  of  Artillery  Under  Lieut 
Glennie4  to  be  Reinforced  Immediately  by  a 
Corpl  &  20  Men  from  the  8th,  34th,  .&  Kings 
Royal  Regt  of  New  York — 8th  &  34th  Regt 
will  give  5  each  &  the  New  York  Regt  10 — the 
8th  Regt  will  give  the  Corpl. 

Detail  of  the  Guard  for  to  Morrow  34  Regt 
i  S.  6  P.;  K.  R.  R.  N.  Y.  i  S.  2  S.  i  D.  9  P. ; 
Jessup's  Corps  i  C.  3  P.  Ensn  Crothers  for 
guard  to  morrow. 

—  1 5th.  P.  Trenton.  C.  Burlington.  Details 
of  the  Guard  for  to  Morrow.  34th  Regt  i  S.  i  C. 
i  D.  9  Privates;  K.  R.  R.  N.  Y.  i  L.  2  S.  i  C.  i 
D.  14  Privates;  Jessup's  Corps,  5  Privates. 

G.  O.     A  Corpl    and   10  private    Men  with 

down   upon  himself,  where  he  held  him  clinched.     The    man    fell    and    expired^ 

as  a  shield  against  the  arms  of  the  others,  proving  to  be  Lieutenant  McDonald,  one 

until  one  of  his  own  men,  Adam  Miller,  of    the    loyalist    officers,    from     Tryon, 

observing  the  struggle,  flew  to  his  rescue ;  country." — Stones  St.  Leger'i  Expedition. 
as   the  assailants  turned   upon    their  new 

adversary,  Gardenier  rose  upon  his  seat,          '  This  officer  was  captured  with   Ge»- 

and    although    his     hand    was    severely  Prescott  on  the  fleet  while  attempting  to 

lacerated  by  grasping  the  bayonet  which  escape    from    Montreal    to    Quebec,    in 

had  been  drawn  through  it,  he  seized  his  November,  1775. 
spear    lying    by   his   side,    and   quick   as 

lightning   planted   it    to  the  barb   in  the         2  See  note   in  advance,  under  Captain 

side  of  the  assailant  with  whom   he   had  Rouville. 


yohnson's  Orderly  Book.  59 

hand  hatchets  to  go  to  Morrow  to  lower  La- 
chine  at  5  o'clock  to  cut  boughs  to  Cover  the 
Batteaux.  As  Coll.  St.  Leger  wishes  not  to  take 
the  K.  Regt  of  New  York  from  their  Exercise 
the  Above  Party  is  to  be  given  by  the  Detach- 
ment of  the  34th  Regt.  Officer  of  the  Guard 
to  Morrow  Ens  McDonell.  Compy  Duty  Gd  S. 
i  C.  D.  4  P. 

AFTER  ORDERS.  Its  Lieut.  Colonel  Sir  John 
Johnson's  orders  that  Capt.  Lt.  McDonell,  Wm 
Byrnes  &  Ens  Richard  Lipscom  do  Duty  in  this 
Compy. 

Lieut.  Morrison,  Lieut.  Anderson  &  Ens  Phil- 
lips in  Major  Gray's  Company.  Lieut.  James  Me 
Donell  and  Ens  Allan  McDonell  in  Capt  Angus 
McDonell's1  Compy,  Lt.  Kenneth  McKenzie, 
Lt  George  Singleton  and  Ens  John  McKenzie  in 
Capt.  Watt's  Compy,  Lt.  Richard  Walker  and 
Ens.  Crothers  in  Capt.  Daily's  Company.  Lt. 

1  Angus  McDonell  was  taken  prisoner  the  state  of  New  York  or   the  president 

at  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  and  afterwards  of  the  Council  of  Safety  of  the  said  state 

transferred,    for     greater    safety,    to    the  shall  direct,  and  that   I  will  observe  this 

southern   portion  of  the  state.      The  fol-  my  parole    until    released,    exchanged    or 

lowing  is  the  parole  which  he  gave  to  the  otherwise  ordered, 

authorities:  ANGUS  McDoNELL. 

"I,  Angus  McDonell,  lieutenant  in  Kingston,  iztA  Oct.,  1777." 
the  6oth  or  Royal  American  regiment,  Whether  Angus  McDonell  violated  his 
now  a  prisoner  to  the  United  States  of  parole,  if  indeed,  he  was  released,  we  are 
America  and  enlarged  on  my  parole,  do  not  informed.  It  is,  however,  certain 
promise  upon  my  word  of  honor  that  I  will  that  he,  as  well  as  Allen  McDonell  men- 
continue  within  one  mile  of  the  house  of  tioned  in  the  text  as  ensign  in  his  company, 
Jacobus  Hardenburgh,  and  in  the  town  was  the  following  year,  transferred  to 
of  Hurley,  in  the  county  of  Ulster;  and  Reading,  Pa.,  where  both  were  kept  as 
that  I  will  not  do  any  act,  matter  or  hostages  of  Sir  John  Johnson.  See 
thing  whatsoever  against  the  interests  of  Journals  of  Congress  for  the  year  1778, 
America;  and  further,  that  I  will  remove  p.  119,  368. 
hereafter  to  such  place  as  the  governor  of 


60  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


Grummerfolk  and  Ens  Craford  in  Capt  Alexr 
McDonells,  Lt.  Moure  [Moore?],  Lt  Wilkeson 
&  Ens  Walle  in  Capt  Duncan's  compy,  till  fur- 
ther orders. 

— 1 6th.  P.  Newark.  C.  Boston.  Capt  An- 
crum1  is  appointed  to  Do  the  Duty  of  Adjt  Genl 
assisted  by  Lieut.  Crofts,  Lt.  Lundy1,  Deputy 
Qr.  Mr  Genl,  Mr  Piety  conductor  of  artillery, 


1  Major  Ancrum  was  the  officer  sent 
by  Brigadier  St.  Leger  to  Col.  Willett 
to  summon  the  garrison  to  surrender. 
Speaking  of  this  Col.  Willett  says  :  "  The 
success  with  which  the  sortie  from  the 
fort  was  attended,  added  to  the  loss  the 
enemy  and  especially  the  Indians  had 
sustained  in  the  action  with  General 
Herkimer,  created  considerable  uneasiness 
in  the  enemy's  camp.  The  afternoon  of 
the  next  day  the  beating  of  the  chamade 
and  the  appearance  of  a  white  flag  was 
followed  by  a  request  that  Col.  Butler 
wl.o  commanded  the  Indians,  with  two 
other  officers,  might  enter  the  fort  with  a 
message  to  the  commanding  officer. 
Permission  having  been  granted,  they 
were  conducted  blin'dfolded  into  the  fort 
and  received  by  Colonel  Gansevoort  in 
his  dining-room.  The  windows  of  the 
room  were  shut  and  the  candles  lighted, 
a  table  also  was  spread  covered  with 
crackers,  cheese  and  wine.  Three  chairs 
placed  at  one  end  of  the  table  were  occu- 
pied by  Col.  Butler  and  two  other  officers 
who  had  come  with  him.  At  the  other 
end  Colonel  Gansevoort,  Colonel  Mullen 
and  Colonel  Willett  were  seated.  Chairs 
were  also  placed  around  the  table  for  as 
many  officers  as  could  be  accommodated, 
while  the  rest  of  the  room  was  nearly 
filled  by  the  other  officers  of  the  garrison 
indiscriminately,  it  being  desirable  that 
the  officers  in  general  should  be  witnesses 
to  all  that  might  take  place.  After 
passing  around  the  wine  w'th  a  few  com- 
monplace compliments,  Major  Ancrum, 


one  of  the  messengers,  with  a  very  grave 
stiff  air  and  a  countenance  full  of  import- 
ance spoke  in  nearly  the  following  words  : 
'I  am  directed  by  Colonel  St.  Leger,  the 
officer  who  commands  the  army  now  in- 
vesting the  garrison,  to  inform  the  com- 
mandant, that  the  colonel  has  with  much 
difficulty  prevailed  on  the  Indians  to  agree 
that  if  the  garrison  without  further  resist- 
ance shall  be  delivered  up  with  the  public 
stores  belonging  to  it,  to  the  investing 
army,  the  officers  and  soldiers  shall  have  all 
their  baggage  and  private  property  secured 
to  them.  And  in  order  that  the  garrison 
may  have  a  sufficient  pledge  to  this  effect, 
Colonel  Butler  accompanies  me  to  assure 
them  that  not  a  hair  of  the  head  of  any 
one  of  them  shall  be  hurt.'  *  *  *  Col. 
St.  Leger's  deputation  seeing  no  likelihood 
ot  their  terms  being  acceded  to,  asked  per- 
mission for  the  surgeon  who  accompanied 
their  flag  to  visit  such  of  their  wounded 
prisoners  as  had  been  taken  in  the  sortie. 
This  was  granted ;  and  while  the  British 
surgeon  in  company  with  Mr.  Woodruff, 
the  surgeon  of  the  garrison  was  visiting 
the  wounded,  Major  Ancrum  proposed 
a  cessation  of  arms  for  three  days.  As 
the  garrison  had  more  reason  to  fear  the 
want  of  ammunition  than  provisions  this 
proposition  was  agreed  to ;  soon  after 
which  the  flag  returned  to  their  camp  and 
the  troops  of  the  garrison  enjoyed  a  brief 
interval  of  tranquility  and  ease." 

*  See  note  in  advance   on  Capt    Rou- 
ville. 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book.  61 

vvho  are  to  be  obeyed,  as  such  ;  orders  coming 
thro  Lt.  Hamelton1  and  Ens  Clergis1  are  to[be] 
Looked  Upon  as  from  the  commanding  officer 
of  the  Expedition — the  corps  of  the  Batteau 
Guard  is  to  send  a  written  Report  Every  morn- 
ing to  the  officer  of  the  Main  Guard  which  will 
Report  it  to  the  commanding  officer. 

Detail  of  the  Guard.  34th  Regt.,  L.  i  S.  C. 
D.  5  P. ;  Kings  R.  R.  N.  Y.  i  L.  i  S.  i  C.  i  D.  9 
P. ;  Jessup's  Corps,  L.  S.  C.  D.  4  P.  Total  i  L. 
2  S.  i  C.  i  D.  18  P. 

—  1 7th.      P.  Fairfield.      C.  Newhaven. 
G.   O.  The  corps  under  the  command  of  Col  St.. 
Leger   to  hold  themselves  in  Readiness  to  march 
on  the  Shortest  Notice. 

Detail  of  the  Guard.      34th   Regt.,  i  L.    i  S. 

C.  i  D.   13  P.;    Ks.  R.  R.  N.  Y.,    L.  2  S.  2  C. 

D.  15  P.     Total  i  L.  3  S.  2  C.  i  D.  28  P. 

REGTL  ORDERS.  The  Commission'd  NonCom- 
mission'd  Officers  Drums  &  private  men  of  the 
Kings  Royal  Regt  of  New  York  to  be  under 
Arms  to  Morrow  Morning  at  5  O'clock — the 
officers  will  be  very  particular  that  their  mens 
Arms  are  in  Good  Order  &  their  Regtls  Clean 
so  as  to  appear  Decent  at  the  Genl.  Review. 
Company  Duty  4  P. 

'William  Osborn  Hamilton,  St.  Leger's  as  ensign  in  the  53d,  July  10,  1776} 
private  and  military  secretary.  exchanged  into  34th,  January  i,  17775 

became  a  lieutenant  therein  November 

2  Lieutenant  George  Clerges  of  the  34th  £th,  1782,  and  appears  last  in  army  lists 
regiment.  He  entered  the  British  army  in  1783. 


62  'Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

—  1 8th.     P.   Edinburgh.     C.  Inverness. 

G.  O.  34th  Regt  takes  the  Guard  to  Morrow. 
For  Guard  to  morrow  Ens  Clergis. 

REGTL  ORDERS — the  Commiss'd  Non  Com- 
miss'd  Officers,  Drums  &  Private  men  of  the 
Kings  Royal  Regt  of  N.  York;  to  be  Under 
arms  this  Evening  at  5  o'clock. 

—  1 9th.     P.  Swansey.     C.   Monmouth.   Forty 
eight    Batteaux  to    be    Delivered  to  the    Royal 
Regt  of  New  York ;  Forty  Five  Felling  axes  & 
3  broad  axes  to  be  Delivered  to  that  Regt.    Sev- 
enty Five  Felling  axes  and  two  broad  axes   [for] 
the  use  of  the  34th  regt  which  are  to  be  distrib- 
uted amongst  the  boats  at  the  discretion  of  the 
respective  commanding  Officers.     A  number  of 
thole  pins  to  be  provided  for  each  boat  according 
to  the  patterns  given  to  the  carpenter,  wooden 
Punches  to  be   made  by  the  boats  crews — two 
fishing  lines  &  hooks  in  proportion  to  be  deliv- 
ered to   each  boat.     The  K.  R.  R.  N.  Y.  are  to 
take  440  barrels  of  provision  allowing  10  barrels 
each  for  44  Batteaus — the  rum  or  brandy   deliv- 
ered out  is   to  be  put   into  the  officer's  boats  for 
security — his  excellency  the  commander  in  chief 
has  pleased  to  appoint  Roville  [Rouville1]  esqr  to 
be  captain  in  a  Comp.  of  Canadians  in  the  room 
of  Capt  McKay  Resigned — he  is  to  be  obeyed  as 
such — the  royal  Regt  of  New  York  to  give  the 

1  Lieutenant  de  Rouville,  at  one  time,     "  a  good  officer,  very  vigilant  and  active, 
in  command  of  Chambly.      Described  as     ever  ready  to  do  his  duty  exactly." 


jfohnsons  Orderly  Book.  63 

guards  to  morrow.  Lieutenant  Gummerfolk. 
For  guard  to  morrow,  i  L.  2  S.  2  C.  i  D.  28  P. 
AFTER  ORDERS.  The  K.  R.  R.  V.  York  to  be 
compleated  with  14  days  provision  commencing 
Saturday  the  21  June — their  boats  to  be  loaded 
at  the  Kings  stores  on  Friday,  and  from  thence 
brought  up  to  their  quarters  the  same  day  to  be 
ready  to  push  off  at  point  of  day  on  Saturday — 
their  Division  is  to  be  supplied  with  three  pilots, 
LeCatargne  the  quarter  master  is  to  give  a  re- 
ceipt for  the  number  of  barrels  and  the  specie 
the  division  carries  to  the  commissary  at  Lachine 
and  is  to  be  accountable  for  them.  It  is  expected 
that  the  several  captains  have  laid  in  necessaries 
for  their  men  for  the  campaign. 

-20th.  P.  Hartford.  C.  Milford.  The  34th 
Regt  to  take  the  Guards  to  morrow.  Ens  Phillips 
i  Sergt.  i  Corl  &  32  Privates  to  Be  left  at  La- 
chine  in  order  to  go  with  the  baggage  of  the  K. 
R.  R.  N.  Y.  over  Lake  Champlain  to  Crown 
Point  &  then  proceed  after  the  army  under  the 
command  of  General  Burgoyne  with  the  bag- 
gage as  far  as  Albany  if  he  should  proceed  to 
that  place — ten  old  men  to  Be  left  at  Point 
Clair. 

—2 ist.  Forty  boats  to  contain  400  barrels  of 
provisions  &  7  of  rum — the  remainder  to  be  left 
at  Colonel  St.  Leger's  Quarters — the  barrels  to 
be  distributed  in  such  proportion  as  to  make 
room  for  the  Officers  &  their  baggage.  Major 


64 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


Gray  must  see  that  the  companys  provided  accord- 
ing to  seniority.  The  Capt.  or  Officers  com- 
manding compys  to  be  in  the  front — the  oldest 
Sublts  in  the  rear  and  the  youngest  in  the  cen- 
ter— 34  precedes;  squads  of  boats  abreast  when 
practicable.  As  Sir  John  has  reason  to  appre- 
hend from  the  many  Companys  that  have  been 
made  that  there  may  be  many  [irregularities 
committed  by  the  men  [he]  recommends  it  in  a 
particular  manner  to  all  the  officers. 

BUCK  ISLAND'. 
1777,  July  8th.     P.    Burgoyne.     C.    Phillips. 


1  Buck's  or  Carleton  Island,  called  by 
the  French  Isle  aux  Chrvrcuih,  from  the 
fact  that  the  deer  frequented  it,  as  it  had 
good  pasturage.  In  passing  on  the  steam- 
boat down  the  St.  Lawrence  river  from 
Cape  Vincent,  the  tourist  will  observe  a 
number  of  stacks  of  old  brick  chimneys 
standing  near  the  shore  on  the  left  side, 
which  are  upon  "  Buck's  Island."  The 
inhabitants  near  it  have  always  affected 
a  great  mystery  in  regard  to  the  origin  of 
these  fortifications,  but,  in  truth,  there 
is  no  mystery  about  them.  Bouchette,  in 
his  History  of  Canada,  published  in  1815, 
states,  that  Carleton  Island  was  converted 
into  a  large  magazine  or  depot  for  military 
supplies  and  general  rendezvous  in  1774-75 
by  the  British  government  in  anticipation 
•of  trouble  with  her  American  colonies. 
We  should  infer,  even  if  Rochefoucault 
de  Liancourt,  in  his  travels,  did  not  say 
so  expressly,  that  the  name  of  the  island 
was  changed  to  Carleton  in  honor  of  that 
general  who  was  then  in  command  of 
Canada.  The  stacks  of  chimneys  still  to 
be  seen  are  probably  the  remains  of  those 
"  ovens "  to  which  the  Orderly  Book 
refers,  in  which  the  bread  for  the  troops 


was  baked.  The  English  government 
reserved  this  island  in  its  sale  to  Macomb; 
and,  in  1796,  a  corporal  .and  three  men 
were  in  charge.  The  island,  however, 
had  evidently  been  fortified  by  the  French 
many  years  before  1774,  the  time  spoken  of 
by  Bouchette;  for  Count  Frontenac  men- 
tions it  as  one  of  his  stopping  places,  in 
1696,  in  his  expedition  against  the  Onon- 
dagas,  at  which  time,  Captain  du  Luth 
was  left  on  the  island  with  a  garrison  of 
forty  men,  masons,  etc.,  with  orders  to 
"complete  the  fort."  Dr.  Hough,  in  his 
History  of  Jefferson  County,  gives  the 
following  interesting  account  of  the  present 
appearance  of  the  ruins.  <l  The  ruins  of 
Fort  Carleton,  on  '  Carleton  '  or  '  Buck 
Island,'  are  the  most  interesting  relics  of 
the  olden  time  within  the  county  of 
Jefferson.  The  island,  when  first  observed 
by  our  settlers,  was  partly  cleared.  It  has 
an  undulating  surface,  is  composed  of 
Trenton  lime-stone,  and  is  very  fertile. 
The  surface  near  its  head,  where  the  fort 
is  located,  rises  by  an  easy  grade  to  a 
spacious  plane  fifty  feet  above  the  river 
(St.  Lawrence)  which  is  precipitous  in 
front  and  overlooks  a  small  palisade  but 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  65 


For  Guard  Ens  Crawford,  i  S.  i  C.  i  D.  &  16 
P.  the  Batteaux  to  be  taken  up  to  the  store  to 
morrow  morning  at  4  o'clock  and  Unloaded,  & 
such  as  wants  repairing  to  be  drawn  up ;  the 
Taylors  of  the  Regt  begin  to  work  to  morrow 
morning  to  corripleat  the  mens  cloathing. 

— 9th.  P.  Frazer.  C.  Powel.  Lieut  Burnet 
of  the  Kings  Regt  to  act  as  Adgt  to  the  Division 
till  further  orders.  A  return  of  the  strength  of 
each  corps  to  be  given  in  at  twelve  o'clock.  Capt 
Potts  will  direct  liquor  to  be  given  to  the  troops 


little  elevated  above  the  water,  and  affords 
on  each  side  of  the  island,  a  safe  and 
ample  cove  for  the  anchorage  of  boats. 
The  area  under  the  hill  was  completely 
protected  by  the  works  on  the  heights 
above ;  and  from  its  great  fertility  afforded 
an  abundance  of  culinary  vegetables  for 
the  garrison.  Traces  occur,  showing  that 
cannon  were  planted  on  conspicuous 
points ;  and  the  trace  of  a  submerged 
wharf  is  still  seen,  as  are  also  wrecks  of 
vessels  in  the  bottom  of  the  river  adjacent. 
In  the  rear  of  the  works  may  be  seen  the 
cemetery,  but  time  has  defaced  the  in- 
scriptions upon  the  headstones  except  on 
one  grave,  which  has  the  following  : 

"  I.  Farrar, 
D.  2,3  Fy.,  1792." 

Forty  years  ago  carved  oaken  planks 
were  standing  at  many  of  the  graves. 
Several  chimneys  are  seen  outside  of  the 
entrenchments,  and  on  the  plain  in  front 
of  the  fort,  about  a  dozen  still  stand 
within  the  works  which  are  built  of  stone 
in  a  permanent  and  massive  manner,  the 
flags  being  very  small  and  the  bases  en- 
larged and  well  founded.  Near  the  brow 
of  the  hill  is  a  circular  well  about  ten 
feet  in  diameter,  and  supposed  to  be  as 
deep,  at  least,  as  the  level  of  the  river ; 
but  being  partly  filled  with  rubbish,  this 

9 


cannot  be  determined.  Here  are  also 
excavations  supposed  to  be  for  magazines. 
The  plan  of  the  fort  shows  it  to  have 
been  after  Vauban,  and  forms  three- 
eighths  of  a  circle  of  about  800  feet 
diameter,  the  abrupt  face  of  the  hill, 
which  was  doubtless  protected  by  a 
stockade,  not  requiring  these  defences 
which  were  furnished  to  the  rear.  The 
ditch  is  excavated  in  rock,  four  feet  deep 
and  twenty-two  feet  wide.  The  covert 
way  is  twenty-four  feet  wide  ;  the  counter- 
scarp vertical  ;  the  outer  parapet  four  feet 
high,  and  the  glacis  formed  of  material 
taken  from  the  ditch.  The  rampart 
within  the  ditch  was  of  earth,  and  is  very 
much  dilapidated ;  ravelins  were  made 
before  each  reentered  angle ;  and  at  the 
alternate  salient  angles,  bastions  were  so 
placed  as  to  command  the  fort  at  its 
various  approaches  very  effectually.  No 
knowledge  is  derived  from  settlers  of  the 
character  or  the  number  of  the  enclosed 
buildings,  except  that  a  range  of  wooden 
block-houses,  within  the  entrenchment, 
was  occupied  by  a  corporal's  guard  and  a 
few  invalids.  The  premises  had  fallen 
into  decay,  and  were  entirely  without 
defensive  works.  A  few  iron  cannon 
were  lying  on  the  beach,  or  under  the 
water  near  the  shore ;  and  the  gates  had 


66 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


when  at  work  as  he  shall  think  proper  according 
to  the  service  they  perform. 

REGL.  ORDERS.  Lt.  McDonell,  i  S.  i  C.  i  D. 
&  16  P. 

—  loth.  GENL  ORDERS,  by -Brigadier  Genl 
St.  Leger.  Lt.  Colonel  St.  Leger  is  appointed  to 
act  as  Brigadier  Genl ;  Chevelier  St.  Oaris  ap- 
pointed Lt.  in  Capt.  Buvilie's  [Rouville's]  Compy 
of  Canadians.  Two  Subalterns  and  50  men  to 
attend  the  Deputy  Qr  Master  General  to  Clear 
Ground  sufficient  to  exercise  the  army  ;  the  party 


been  robbed  of  their  hinges  for  the  iron 
which  had  been  pawned  by  the  soldiers. 
The  premises  have  at  all  times  furnished 
a  great  abundance  of  relics,  among  which 
were  coins,  buttons,  etc.,  whose  inscrip- 
tions and  devices,  without  exception  in- 
dicate an  English  origin,  and  a  period  not 
earlier  than  the  French  war.  The  figures 

'  34,'  '  «,*  '  2.9.'  '  H,'  '  *!,'  '  31,'  etc-> 
which  occur  on  the  buttons  found,  often 
accompanied  by  the  device  of  the  thistle, 
anchor,  crown,  etc.,  doubtless  designate 
the  regiments  to  which  their  wearers 
belonged.  This  station  was  used  by  the 
English  during  and  after  the  Revolution 
and  garrisoned  by  invalid  troops.  Having 
carefully  examined  every  author  we  have 
been  unable  to  ascertain  the  precise  time 
of  the  erection  of  this  fort.  It  certainly 
did  not  exist  before  1758  [Dr.  Hough  is 
not  speaking  of  the  fort  built  by  Frontenac 
but  of  the  more  modern  one]  as  it  does  not 
occur  in  any  of  the  list  of  stations  previous 
to  that  period  ;  but  a  MS.  is  preserved 
among  the  Paris  documents  in  the 
archives  of  the  State  at  Albany,  that 
throws  some  light  upon  the  subject. 
From  this  it  appears  that,  in  November, 
1758,  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  at  that 
time,  governor  of  Canada,  had  drawn  up 


a  paper  on  the  defences  of  that  country, 
which  was  submitted  to  the  Marquis  de 
Montcalm.  for  his  revision,  and  met  with 
his  entire  approval.  He  proposed  to  send 
1,500  men  to  defend  the  approaches  of 
Canada,  on  the  side  of  Lake  Ontario,  by 
the  erection  of  a  post  at  the  head  of  the 
St.  Lawrence  and  laid  out  after  the  plans 
of  M.  de  Fonteloy,  who  was  to  be  sent 
for  that  purpose.  The  station,  thus 
chosen  and  fortified,  would,  at,  the  same 
time,  become  the  head  of  the  frontier  and 
an  entrepot  for  every  military  operation 
in  that  quarter,  instead  of  Frontenac, 
'  which  can  never  be  regarded  as  such,  as 
the  English  might  enter  the  St.  Lawrence 
without  exposing  themselves,  or  giving 
any  knowledge  of  their  passage.'  The 
place  was  to  be  made  susceptible  of  defence 
by  an  army  and  have  magazines  for  stores 
and  barracks  for  the  lodgment  of  troops 
in  the  winter.  It  was  intended  that  the 
proposed  work  should  be  adequate  with 
those  lower  down  for  the  defence  of  the 
latter  j  and  it  was  designed  to  put  in 
command  an  active,  disinterested  and 
capable  man  to  accelerate  the  work  and 
render  the  operation  complete.  Such  a 
man  the  chevalier  was  considered  to  be, 
and  he  was  accordingly  named  as  the  per- 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


to  be  furnished  with  proper  Utensils  for  that 
purpose.  The  Kings  Regt.  and  the  34th  form 
one  Corps  [and]  will  encamp  on  the  right.  The 
Hessian  Chasseurs  on  the  Left,  and  the  R.  R.  of 
New  York  in  the  center,  Lt.  Collerten  will 
choose  out  the  proposed  ground  on  the  Right  of 
the  Army  for  his  party  of  Artillery  and  will  be- 
gin Immediately  to  prepare  Bark  Huts  for  His 
Ammunition.  The  Irregulars  will  be  arranged 
by  the  Deputy  Qr  Master  Genl.  Colonel  Close 
[Col.  Daniel  Claus]  will  take  ground  for  the  In- 
dian Allies. 

Signed     Wm   Crofts,  Lt  34th  Regt. 


son  to  have  the  chief  direction  and  com- 
mand of  the  work.  Such  are  the  outlines 
of  the  plan  ;  and  the  means  within  our 
reach  have  not  enabled  us  to  learn  whether 
or  not  they  were  carried  out  to  the  extent 
contemplated  at  that  time.  No  one  can 
stand  upon  the  spot  occupied  by  this  ruin 
and  survey  its  natural  advantages  for  de- 
fence, the  ample  bay  for  shipping  which 
it  overlooks,  and  the  complete  command 
of  the  channel  which  it  affords  without 
being  convinced  that  its  site  was  admirably 
chosen,  and  that,  in  its  selection,  the  pro- 
jectors were  guided  by  much  discretion.'" 
Mr.  L.  B.  Pike,  of  Saratoga  Springs, 
who  takes  great  interest  in  such  matters, 
and  who,  having  spent  many  summers  on 
the  St.  Lawrence,  has  made  a  study  of  this 
island,  writes  to  me  as  follows,  under  date 
of  Aug.  gth,  1881 :  "Carleton,or  Buck's 
Island  is  situated  about  five  miles  down 
the  St.  Lawrence  from  Light  House  Point 
and  east  of  Cape  Vincent,  and  is  probably 
three  miles  long  by  half  a  mile  broad. 
Fort  Carleton  was  at  the  extreme  west 
end  of  the  island  ;  for,  at  the  present  time, 
there  is  nothing  left  of  the  fort  save 
a  few  chimneys  with  their  fire-places, 


both  of  which  are  in  a  perfect  state  of 
preservation,  the  latter  being  thirty  feet 
high.  The  well,  which  was  dug  for  the 
use  of  the  garrison  inside  of  the  walls 
through  a  sandstone  rock  and  which  is 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  deep,  is  still 
intact.  The  fortifications  extended  from 
one  side  of  the  island  to  the  other,  making 
access  to  the  water  easy  on  either  side. 
The  island,  which  is  quite  precipitous,  is 
one  solid  piece  of  rock  having  a  layer  of 
earth  on  the  top  two  feet  and  one-half  in 
depth.  This  soil  is  quite  fertile  and  sus- 
tains several  beautiful  farms  and  orchards. 
For  three-quarters  of  a  mile  west  of  Carleton 
Island  the  water  is  so  shoal  that,  at  times, 
a  row-boat  can  scarcely  be  taken  over  it. 
Very  deep  water  'is  then  met  with,  and 
finally  another  shoal  which  runs  out  from 
the  eastward  of  Wolf  Island.  The  distance 
between  these  shoals  is  about  forty  rods. 
The  fishing  along  the  shoals  for  bass  and 
muscalonge  [Mr.  Pike  is  the  champion 
fisherman  of  that  region]  is  the  best  in 
this  part  of  the  river.  '  Wolf  Island  ' 
[originally  called  Wolf  Island,  then 
Long  Island  and  now  again  Wolf  Island, 
see  Bouchette]  lies  some  two  miles  west 


68 


Johnsorfs  Orderly  Book. 


For  this  Duty  Ks  Regt  i  L.  16  P. ;  R.  R.  N. 
Y.  i  L.  i  S.  i  C.  34  P.  For  Guard  Ens  Mc- 
Kenzie. 

It  is  the  Commanding  officer's  Orders  that  Jos. 
Locks  &  John  Laurance  be  appointed  Sergts  in 
Capt  Duvan's  Compy ;  Jacob  Shall,  Wm.  Taylor, 
Phillip  Coach,  Corpls  in  said  Compy  and  be 
obeyed  as  such. 


and  up  the  river  from  Carleton  Island. 
Button  Bay  on  its  east  end,  was  un- 
doubtedly the  regular  camp  of  the  Indians 
employed  in  either  the  French  or  English 
service,  perhaps  both,  for,  at  the  present 
time,  you  may  pick  up  stone  arrow-heads 
in  the  water.  Three  years  ago,  several 
feet  of  the  shore  of  Button  Bay  was 
washed  away  by  a  strong  east  wind, 
disclosing  a  large  Indian  burial  ground. 
Here  my  daughter  and  Mr.  H.  M. 
Livingston  of  Saratoga  Springs  found 
some  large  Indian  spears  and  innumerable 
arrow-heads,  and  also  some  skulls.  These 
skulls,  which  were  incased  in  mica  (the 
work  of  the  Indians  before  burial)  were 
even  to  the  teeth  as  well  preserved  as  if 
they  had  been  found  in  a  peat  bed.  At 
this  point  a  mound  was  discovered.  The 
skeletons  found  in  it  showed  that  the 
burials  had  taken  place  in  a  time  of  peace, 
as  the  bodies  had  been  laid  in  perfect 
order  instead  of  having  been  hurriedly 
piled  promiscuously  on  top  of  each  other. 
Another  circumstance  which  leads  me  to 
suppose  this  to  have  been  an  Indian  camp 
during  our  early  colonial  history,  is  that 
people  have  often  found  here  musket 
barrels,  very  long,  like  the  old  fashioned 
French  fowling-pieces.  I  send  you  with 
this  letter  a  remarkably  perfect  arrow- 
head, I  found  at  this  place  a  week  since." 
Carleton  Island  was  als.o,  during  the 
Revolution  used  as  a  rendezvous  whence 
General  Haldimand  was  in  the  habit  of 
sending  out  scalping- parties  to  annoy  our 


frontiers.  Thus,  Col.  Daniel  Claus  in 
writing  from  Montreal  to  Thayendanegea 
(Brant)  under  date  of  March  3d,  1781, 
says  : 

"The  General  [Haldimand]  has  for 
some  time  intended  sending  a  party  of 
about  sixty  chosen  loyalists,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Jessup,  toward  Fort 
Edward  ;  this  party  might  join  you  against 
Palmerstown  [near  the  present  village  of 
Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y.,]  could  you  ascer- 
tain the  time  and  place,  which  might  be 
nearly  done  by  calculating  the  time  your 
express  would  take  to  come  from  Carleton 
Island,  your  march  from  thence,  and 
Major  Jessup's  from  Point  au  Fez,  alias 
Nikadiyooni.  *  *  *  Should  you  upon 
this  adopt  the  general's  offer  and  opinion, 
and  proceed  from  Carleton  Island  to  Pal- 
merstown, which  place  I  am  sure  several 
of  Major  Ross's  men  and  others  at  the 
island  are  well  acquainted  with,  I  wish 
you  the  aid  of  Providence  with  all  the 
success  imaginable;  in  which  case  it  will 
be  one  of  the  most  essential  services  you 
have  rendered  your  king  this  war,  and 
cannot  but  by  him  be  noticed  and  re- 
warded; your  return  by  Canada  will  be 
the  shortest  and  most  eligible,  and  we 
shall  be  very  happy  to  see  you  here." 
And,  again,  as  a  postscript  to  the  same 
letter,  he  writes  :  "  P.  S.  The  great 
advantage  of  setting  out  from  Carleton 
Island,  is  the  route,  which  is  so  unexpected 
a  one,  that  there  is  hardly  any  doubt  but 
you  will  surprise  them,  which  is  a  great 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  69 

—  nth.     P.   Fort  St.  Ann.1     C.  Noadwilley. 

G.  O.  Lt.  Crofts  of  the  34th  Regt  is  ap- 
pointed Major  of  Brigade  for  this  expedition. 
Guards  to  Mount  every  morning  at  8  o'clock,  the 
Retreat  to  be  at  7  o'clock  in  the  evening  and 
tattoo  at  9  o'clock.  An  officer  of  each  Corps  to 
attend  for  Genl  Orders  at  the  Major  of  Brigades's 
tent  every  Day  at  12  o'clock.  One  Sergt  and  8 
private  men  of  Captain  Buvelles  Company  of 
Canadians  to  parade  to  Morrow  morning  to  go 
to  Oswegatchie  for  Provisions  and  4  privates  will 
parade  at  the  same  hour,  who  will  receive  further 
orders  from  Lt.  Rudyard  Engineer. 

REGTL  O.  For  Guard  to  morrow,  i  S.  i  C. 
D.  8  P.  men.  Ens  McKenzie  is  to  do  [duty]  in 
Capt  McDonell's  Compy,  Ens  Crothers  in  Major 
Grays,  &  Ens  Crawford  in  Capt  Daly's  till  fur- 
ther orders. 

The  officers  commanding  compys  to  give  in 
their  Monthly  Return  to  morrow  morning  at  6 
o'clock  and  be  very  carefull  that  they  are  not 
false.  Compy  Duty  Gd  i  D.  3  P. 

-i  2th.     P.  Gray.     C.  Mohock  River.     His 
Majesty  has  been  Pleased  to  appoint  Coll.  Claus* 

point  gained.  Whereas,  were  you  to  set  x  Not  to  be  confounded  with  Fort 
out  from  Canada,  there  are  so  many  Anne  in  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.  The 
friends,  both  whites  and  Indians,  to  the  Fort  St.  Anne  here  mentioned  was  situated 
rebel  cause,  that  you  could  not  well  get  on  the  upper  portion  of  the  island  of 
to  the  place  undiscovered,  which  would  Montreal,  and  was  often  the  object  of 
not  do  so  well.  D.  C."  Iroquois  attacks.  One  of  the  wards  of 
I  am  also  indebted  to  Mr.  B.  B.  Burt,  the  city  of  Montreal  still  retains  the  name, 
of  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  for  valuable  informa- 
tion about  this  island.  a  Colonel  Daniel  Claus  or  Clause,  as 


yo  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

to  be  superintendent  of  the  Indian  Department 
on  this  expedition  ;  A  Sub.  of  the  Day  is  con- 
stantly to  remain  in  Camp  who  will  see  all  pub- 
lick  orders  executed  and  to  whom  all  reports  of 
any  thing  extraordinary  will  be  made  for  the  in- 
formation of  the  Brigadier.  All  orders  relative 
to  the  Soldiers  shall  be  read  to  them  at  the  Eve- 
ning Parade  by  an  officer  of  the  Company.  For 
fatigue  to  morrow — K's  Regt  22  P. ;  K's  R.  N. 
Y.,  i  S.  36  P.;  Canadians,  i  S.  12  P.  The  Kings 
Regt  to  Give  the  Sub.  of  the  Day  to  morrow. 


the  name  is  sometimes  written,  was  proba- 
bly a  native  of  the  Mohawk  valley, 
where  he  acquired  in  early  life  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  Iroquois  language,  and  was  in 
consequence  attached  as  interpreter  to  the 
department  of  General  Sir  William  John- 
son, whom  he  accompanied  as  lieutenant  of 
rangers  in  the  expedition  against  Dieskau. 
In  1756,  he  was  appointed  lieutenant  in 
the  6oth  or  Royal  American  regiment, 
and  continued  at  Johnstown,  or  there- 
abouts, until  1759,  when  he  accompanied 
the  expedition  to  Niagara,  whence  he 
went  with  the  army  to  Montreal,  where 
he  was  stationed  as  superintendent  of  the 
Canadian  Indians.  On  the  6th  of  July, 
1761,  he  was  promoted  to  a  captaincy  in 
the  6oth  but  went  on  half-pay  in  1763, 
on  the  reduction  of  his  regiment.  Having 
returned  to  Fort  Johnson,  he  continued 
to  act  as  one  of  Sir  William's  deputies, 
and  in  1766,  assisted  at  the  treaty  con- 
cluded with  Pontiac  at  Lake  Ontario. 
In  1767,  he  went  back  to  Canada,  but 
did  not  remain  there,  for  having  married 
one  of  the  daughters  of  Sir  William  John- 
son, by  whom  he  was  greatly  beloved,  he 
resided  near  Johnstown  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Revolution,  when  he  retired  to 
Canada.  He  visited  England  with  Grant 
in  1776,  and  arrived  in  Quebec,  ist  June, 
1777,  with  a  commission  as  deputy  super- 


intendent of,  and  with  instructions  to 
bring  the  Indians  to  cooperate  with  the 
British  army  in  the  campaign  of  that 
year.  He  accordingly  accompanied  those 
tribes  in  the  expedition  against  Fort 
Stanwix  under  Brigadier  General  St. 
Leger,  who  commended  his  exertions  on 
that  occasion.  Col.  Claus,  however,  did 
not,  by  any  means  reciprocate  these  sen- 
timents of  St  Leger.  In  a  letter,  dated 
at  Montreal,  Oct.  1 6th,  1777,  he  com- 
plains bitterly  of  the  obstacles  which  had 
been  thrown  in  his  way  in  assembling  and 
equipping  with  arms  and  vermillion  the 
Indians  under  his  command,  and  plainly 
hints  that  the  failure  of  the  expedition 
against  Fort  Stanwix  was  due  to  the  lack 
of  judgment  on  the  part  of  its  commanding 
general.  "  The  Missisagues  and  Six 
Nations,"  he  writes,  "  St.  Leger  intended 
should  accompany  him  in  an  alert  [i.  e., 
a  scouting  party]  to  Fort  Stanwix  by  a 
short  cut  through  the  woods,  from  a  place 
called  Salmon  creek  on  Lake  Ontario, 
about  twenty  miles  from  Oswego,  in  order 
to  surprise  the  garrison  and  take  it  with 
small  arms.  Between  sixty  and  seventy 
leagues  from  Montreal  my  reconnoitering 
party  returned  and  met  me  with  five 
prisoners.  I  immediately  forwarded  the 
prisoners  to  the  Brigadier  [St.  Leger]  who 
was  about  fifteen  leagues  in  our  rear.  *  * 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  71 

—  1 3th.  P.  Carleton.  C.  McClain  [McLean]. 
The  state  of  provisions  at  this  post  to  be  given  by 
the  D.  Commissary  general  as  soon  as  possible 
this  day  [toj  the  Brigadier — no  bisquet  to  be  de- 
livered but  by  his  particular  orders,  or  small  bar- 
rels of  pork  to  be  broke  open ;  no  arrears  of 
provisions  to  be  reed  at  this  post ;  such  persons 
as  may  have  any  rations  due  to  them  to  this  day 
and  properly  certified  to  the  D.  C.  General  may 
receive  the  value  of  them  in  cash,  the  usual  draw- 
back being  made  at  6i  pds.  ration,  or  a  certificate 
from  him  that  such  Rations  are  due,  which  will 


On  St.  Leger's  arrival  within  a  few 
leagues  of  Buck  Island,  he  sent  for  me, 
and  talking  over  the  intelligence  the  rebel 
prisoners  gave,  he  owned  that  if  they  in- 
tended to  defend  themselves  in  that  fort, 
our  artillery  was  not  sufficient  to  take 
it.  *  *  *  I  told  him  that  having  exam- 
ined them  separately  they  agreed  in  their 
story.  And  here  the  Brigadier  [St.  Leger] 
had  stilj  an  opportunity  and  time  of  send- 
ing for  a  better  train  of  artillery  and  waiting 
for  the  junction  of  the  Chasseurs,  which 
must  have  secured  us  success,  as  every  one 
will  allow.  However,  he  was  still  full 
of  his  alert  [the  scout]  making  but  little 
of  the  prisoners'  intelligence.  On  his 
arrival  at  Buck  Island  the  8th  July,  he 
put  me  in  orders  as  superintendent  of  the 
expedition  and  empowered  me  to  act  to 
the  best  of  my  judgment  for  his  Majesty's 
service  in  the  management  of  the  Indians 
on  the  expedition  as  well  as  what  regarded 
their  equipments,  presents,  etc.,  he  being 
an  entire  stranger  thereto.  There  was 
then  a  vessel  at  the  island  which  had 
some  Indian  goods  on  board,  which  Col. 
Butler  had  procured  for  the  expedition 
but  upon  examination  I  found  that  almost 
every  one  of  the  above  articles  I  demanded 
at  Montreal  were  deficient  and  a  mere  im- 


possibility to  procure  them  at  Buck  Island 
had  I  not  luckily  provided  some  of  those 
articles  before  I  left  Montreal,  at  my  own 
risque,  and  with  difficulty.  Brigadier 
St.  Leger  found  out  thirty  stands  of  arms 
in  the  artillery  store  at  Swegachy  and  I 
added  all  my  eloquence  to  satisfy  the 
Indians  about  the  rest."  Col.  Claus 
consequently  found  himself  finally  greatly 
out  of  pocket  for  sums  advanced  by  him- 
self for  the  Indian  expenses  of  the  expe- 
dition ;  and  Carleton  putting  off  payment 
on  various  pretexts,  he  was  obliged  to  go 
to  Montreal  to  arrange  matters  with  the 
people  from  whom  he  had  obtained  the 
Indian  goods.  "  Such  like  freques  and 
jealousies,"  he  says,  "  I  am  afraid  have 
been  rather  hurtful  to  our  northern  ope- 
rations last  campaign."  After  peace  was 
declared,  he  went  to  England  to  obtain 
some  remuneration  for  his  losses,  as  his 
name  had  been  included  in  the  outlawry 
act,  and  his  property  confiscated.  He 
died  at  Cardiff,  Wales,  in  the  latter  part 
of  1787.  His  wife  survived  him  thirteen 
years  and  died  in  Canada  in  1801.  His 
son  succeeded  him  as  deputy  superintend- 
ent of  Indian  affairs  in  Canada.  Col. 
Claus's  early  and  long  connection  with 
the  Indian  departments  as  interpreter  ren- 


72  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

be  delivered  from  the  Kings  Stores  at  a  more 
convenient  time ;  no  person  to  draw  more  than 
one  ration  pr  day  viz  :  ii  Ib  of  flour,  li  of  Beef 
or  10  oz.  of  pork,  &  such  troops  as  choose  to 
draw  one  pound  of  flour  pr.  day  shall  receive 
from  the  D.  Q.  master  General  the  value  weekly 
of  the  remainder  at  \\  Ibs.  ;  all  public  storefs] 
not  immediately  pertaining  to  any  particular  corps 
to  be  put  in  charge  of  the  Detachments  under 
the  orders  of  Capt  Potts  of  the  King's  Regt.  at 
this  post ;  the  Detachment  of  the  King  under 
the  Command  of  Capt  Lanotts's  will  furnish  a  re- 
lief of  i  Sergt  i  Corpral  and  12  privates  every 
day  to  the  above  Detachment.  The  D.  Quarter- 
master General  will  direct  a  hut  to  be  built  im- 
ediately  within  the  lines  of  the  incampment  of 
Capt  Potts's  Detachment  to  receive  all  publick 
stores  and  is  to  be  sufficent  to  protect  them  from 
the  weather  ;  each  Corps  shall  receive  under  (.heir 

dered   him    thoroughly   conversant  with  intend  the  impression,  critically  revise  the 

the  Iroquois  tongue.      His  services  were  whole,   and    correct    the  sheets   as    they 

therefore  highly  useful  in  superintending  came    from    the    press.     "  His    accurate 

the   publication  of  a   correct   translation  knowledge  of  the  Mohawk   language," 

into  the  Mohawk  language  of  the  Book  of  continues  the  preface,  "  qualified  him  for 

Common  Prayer,  one  thousand  copies  of  the    undertaking ;    and    it    is    no    more 

which  were  ordered  by  Gov.  Haldimand,  than  justice  to  say,  that   this  is  only  one 

at  the  request  of  the  Mohawk  Indians  to  out  of  many  instances  of  this  gentleman's 

be  printed  under  the  supervision  of  Col.  unremitting  attention  to  the  welfare  of 

Claus,  "  who,"  the  preface  states,  "  read  the   Indians."     Col.    Claus    lived   for    a 

and  understood  the  Mohawk  language  so  number  of  years   in  a  large  stone  house 

as  to  undertake  the  correction  of  the  book  which    stood    a    short    distance    west    of 

for  the  press."     This  edition  soon  became  "  Guy  Park  "  the  residence  of  Sir  Guy 

exhausted  ;  thereupon  the  Society  for  the  Johnson.       (See    preceding    note    under 

Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  foreign  parts  Castle  Johnson.)     It  was   burned  down 

resolved   to   have  a  new  edition  printed,  many  years    since.     N.    T.    Col.    Doc. ; 

especially    as    Col.    Claus,    who    was    in  N.    T.  Doc.  Hist. ;   Gentleman1:  Maga- 

England  at  the  time,  consented  to  super-  zine  f  Stone's  Life  of  Brant,  Ed. 


Johnson* s  Ordefly  Book.  73 

charge  a  certain  number  of  Boats ;  all  the  over- 
plus boats  for  publick  stores  will  come  under  the 
charge  of  C.  Potts's  Detachment  and  Each  Corps 
will  be  answerable  for  the  particular  attention 
for  the  safety  of  the  boats  given  unto  their  charge, 
and  to  report  to  the  Superintendent  any  repairs 
they  may  want.  Each  corps  after  Expending 
what  provisions  they  have  reed,  to  draw  weekly 
their  rations,  and  they  will  sign  an  order  for  all 
provisions  drawn  for  such  persons  on  this  Expe- 
dition in  his  majestys  service  who  do  not  belong 
to  any  particular  Corps.  Colonel  Claus  will  as- 
certain the  number  of  Indians  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  be  fed  at  this  post  of  which  he  will  give 
directions  to  the  Brigades  who  will  give  direc- 
tions that  the  S.  rations  be  issued  dayly  to  the 
Indians,  and  Colonel  Claus  will  appoint  a  person 
from  the  Indian  Department  who  speaks  the 
Missaga  [Misissagua]  language  to  attend  the  de- 
livery of  said  provisions  which  by  him  is  to  be 
Reed  in  bulk  delivered  in  Camp  to  Indian  De- 
partment, and  the  D.  Commissary  General  will 
deliver  no  provisions  to  any  person  but  under  the 
assignment  of  Commanding  officers  of  Corps 
and  detachments  and  the  Deputy  Quartermaster 
General.  Lieut.  Burnet  of  the  King's  Regt  is 
appointed  Superintendent  of  the  King's  Batteaux. 
For  Fatigue  to  morrow.  King's  Regt,  16  P. ; 
34th  Regt,  i  S.  17  P.;  R.  Y.,  2  L.  i  S.  27  P.; 
K.  R.  R.  N.  Y.  gives  the  Subaltern  for  the  day 
to  morrow. 
10 


74  jfobnsotfs  Orderly  Book. 

REGTL  ORDERS.  For  guard  to  morrow  Ens 
Lipscomb,  i  S.  I  C.  and  10  privates.  S.  Craw- 
ford of  M.  Gray's  Comp'y  to  do  duty,  [illegible] 
McDonell's  Compy. 

C.  Campbell  is  appointed  Sergt  in  Major  Gray's 
Company  in  the  Room  of  S.  Crawford.  John 
Raley  is  appointed  Corpl,  in  M.  Gray's  Company 
in  the  Room  of  Corporal  Campbell.  The 
officers  commanding  companys  to  be  very  partic- 
ular that  the  mens  arms  and  accutrements  be  in 
good  order  as  they  are  to  be  reviewed  to  morrow 
at  Guard  mounting ;  all  the  Boats  that  want  re- 
pairing in  the  different  compys  their  numbers  to 
be  given  in  immediately  to  the  Quartermaster. 
Lieut  Anderson  officer  for  the  day  to  morrow. 

— I4th.  MORNING  ORDERS.  All  leaky  and 
damaged  batteaux1  belonging  to  the  different 


1  The  battraux  of  the  army  (afterwards 
known  as  "  Durham  boats,"  or  barges) 
and  the  canoes  of  the  Indians,  formed  so 
important  a  part  of  the  Expedition,  that 
a  description  of  them,  gathered  from 
Bouchettc  and  Weld,  will  be  of  interest. 
Batteaux  were  flat-bottomed  boats,  having 


a  plank  around  them  to  walk  on  or  to 
pole,  from  thirty-five  to  forty  feet  long, 
each  extremity  terminating  in  a  point : 
six  feet  of  beam  in  the  centre ;  usual 
weight,  four  and  one-half  tons  ;  worked 
by  oars  ;  a  mast  sail ;  capable  of  carrying 
1,500  Ibs.  of  cargo  ;  drag  ropes  for  turning, 
and  long  poles  for  "  setting  "  them  through 


the  currents  and  rapids.  The  sides  were 
about  four  feet  high,  and  for  the  conveni- 
ence of  the  rowers,  four  or  five  benches  were 
laid  across,  sometimes  more,  according 
to  the  length  of  the  batteau.  Four  men 
managed  them  in  summer,  but,  in  the  fall, 
another  rower  was  always  added.  "  It  is," 
says  Weld,  "  a  very 
awkward  sort  of  ves- 
sel, either  for  rowing 
or  sailing,  but  it  is 
preferred  to  a  boat 
?-  with  a  keel  for  two 
very  obvious  reasons :  first,  because  it 
draws  less  water,  at  the  same  time  that 
it  carries  a  larger  burden  ;  and  secondly, 
because  it  is  much  safer  on  lakes  or  large 
rivers,  where  storms  are  frequent.  A 
proof  of  this  came  under  our  observation 
the  day  of  our  leaving  Montreal  [this  was 
in  1796].  We  had  reached  a  wide  part 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  75 


corps  to  be  immediately  hauled  on  shore  and 
turned  up  on  their  own  ground,  ready  for  repair 
under  the  directions  of  Lieut.  Burnet,  and  any 
boats  that  may  have  been  drawn  up  before  the 
present  directions  of  ground  took  place  not  with- 
in the  the  present  line  of  incampment  and  to  be 
Immediately  Launched,  and  brought  to  the  ground 
of  their  Regiment  to  prevent  confusion.  Mr. 
Charles  Miller  is  appointed  Batteau  Master  in  the 
room  of  Mr.  Kuysak  and  is  to  be  attended 
[obeyed]  as  such.1 


of  the  river,  and  were  sailing  along  with 
a  favorable  wind,  when  suddenly  the 
horizon  grew  very  dark,  and  a  dreadful 
storm  arose,  accompanied  with  loud  peals 
of  thunder  and  torrents  of  rain.  Before 
the  sail  could  be  taken  in,  the  ropes  which 
held  it  were  snapped  in  pieces,  and  the 
waves,  began  to  dash  over  the  sides  of  the 
batteaux,  though  the  water  had  been  quite 
smooth  five  minutes  before.  It  was  im- 
possible now  to  counteract  the  force  of 
the  wind  with  oars,  and  .the  batteau  was 
consequently  driven  on  shore,  but  the 
bottom  of  it  being  quite  flat,  it  was  carried 
smoothly  upon  the  beach  without  sustain- 
ing any  injury,  and  the  men  leaping  out 
drew  it  up  on  dry  land,  where  we  remained 
out  of  all  danger  till  the  storm  was  over. 
A  keel-boat,  however,  of  the  same  size, 
could  not  have  approached  nearer  to  the 
shore  than  thirty  feet,  and  there  it  would 
have  stuck  fast  in  the  sand,  and  probably 
have  been  filled  with  water."  For  a 
graphic  description  of  the  manner  in 
which  these  batteaux  were  handled  and 
propelled  by  the  batteaux-men,  and  an 
account  of  the  habits  of  this  class  of  boat- 
men, see  note  in  advance,  under  date  of 
the  lyth  of  June. 

From  La  Chine  to  the  North-west,  canoes 
were  and  still  are,  employed  by  the  fur- 
traders.  They  seldom  exceed  thirty  feet 


in  length,  six  feet  in  breadth,  each  end, 
like  the  batteaux,  terminating  in  a  sharp 
point.  The  frame  is  composed  of  small 
pieces  of  light  wood  covered  with  birch- 
bark,  cut  into  convenient  slips,  sewed 
together  with  threads  from  the  twisted 
fibres  of  roots  of  trees  that  grow  in  the 
woods.  These  canoes  are  made  water- 
tight by  being  covered  with  a  sort  of  gum 
that  adheres  firmly,  and  becomes  perfectly 
hard.  No  iron-work  of  any  description, 
not  even  a  nail,  is  employed  ;  and  when 
complete  the  canoe  weighs  about  500  Ibs. 
In  managing  the  canoes,  the  Indian  uses 
but  his  paddle  and  makes  his  way  with 
amazing  expedition.  "It  was  on  one  of 
these  Indian  canoes,"  says  Sergeant  Lamb 
in  his  Memoirs,  "  that  General  Sir  Guy 
Carleron,  accompanied  by  an  aide  de  camp, 
passed  undetected  through  the  enemy's 
fleet  from  Montreal  to  Quebec,  to  put 
the  city  in  a  state  of  defence." 

1  Mr.  Miller  was  succeeded  by  Captain 
Martin,  whose  tragical  fate,  revealing,  by 
the  way,  the  treachery  of  St.  Leger,  is 
thus  referred  to  in  the  affidavit  of  Moses 
Younglove,  a  part  of  which  is  quoted  in 
a  preceding  note.  "  Capt.  Martin,  of  the 
batteiux-men,"  says  Younglove,  "  was 
delivered  to  the  Indians  at  Oswego  on 
pretence  of  his  having  kept  back  some 


76  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

Signed,  W.  Ancrum,  D.  Ajt.  General. 

A  return  of 'the  number  of  caulkers  and  car- 
penters belonging  to  the  different  corps  to.  be 
given  in  Immediately  to  the  D.  A.  G.  and  they 
will  be  ready  to  attend  Mr.  Burnet  at  one  o'clock. 

P.  Brunswick.  C.  Kent.  No  person  what- 
soever to  trade  rum  or  any  spirituous  liquors  for 
any  thing  which  the  Indians  may  have  to  dispose 
of;  those  people  will  be  Informed  by  their  officers 
1J^/V  that  it  is  necessary  to  have  the  C.  S.  to  pass  the 

Gentries  and  guards  of  the  Comp — and  they  will 
strongly  recommend  to  them  not  to  leave  their 
incampment  after  dark  lest  they  should  be  sub- 
jected to  Inconveniencies  from  the  difficulty  of 
pronouncing  or  Remembering  the  pass-word  ;  no 
Soldier  or  any  of  the  Corps  Canadians  on  any 
account  to  fire  their  arms  unless  to  discharge 
them  after  bad  weather  and  then  in  the  presence 
of  an  Officer — No  trader  on  this  Island  to  sell 
any  Rum  or  spirituous  liquor  without  the  assign- 
ment of  Capt  Potts  of  the  King's  Regt1 ;  any 

useful    intelligence."      "  Moses    Young-          When   James,    Duke  of  Monmouth, 

love,"  writes    his    grand-nephew,   Moses  natural    son   of  Charles    II,  engaged   in 

Younglove,  a  prominent  and  influential  rebellion  against  his  uncle,  James  II,  in 

citizen  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  to  the  author,  1685,  corps  of  cavalry  and  infantry  were 

under  date  of  Aug.  ad,    1881,   "  was  a  quickly  raised  for  the  support  of  the  crown, 

man  of  strong  convictions  and    decided  and    Robert,    Lord    Ferrars    of  Chartly, 

character,    not    easily   turned    from    any  whose  father,  Sir  Robert  Shirley,  Bart., 

settled    purpose."     As   stated   in   a  pre-  was  one  of  the  sufferers  in  the  royal  cause 

ceding  note,  Moses  Younglove  was  a  man  in  the  time  of  Charles  I,  was  appointed 

of  great  truthfulness  and  of  sterling  in-  to  the   command  of  one  of  these   corps 

tegrity.  raised  on  that  occasion  ;  which,  having 

been  continued  in  service  to  the  present 

1  The  history  of  this   regiment  is   an  time,  now  bears  the  distinguished  title  of 

exceedingly    interesting    one,    and    is    as  the  "  8th  or  KING'S  REGIMENT  OF  FOOT." 

follows  :  It  was  in  the  battle  of  the  Boyne  ;  and,  as 


Johnson's   Orderly  Book.  77 

officer  wanting  such  things  will  send  their  orders 
to  be  countersigned  by  him  to  prevent  forgeries 
and  Impositon ;  the  guard  of  the  camp  not  to 
turn  out  but  once  a  day  to. the  Brigadier  nor  are 
they  to  take  notice  of  him  unless  in  his  Uniform. 
Sergt  Killigrew  of  the  34th  Regt  is  appointed 
provost  Martial  at  2s-6d  pr  day  for  the  Expedi- 
tion and  to  be  obeyed  as  such  ;  his  guard  to  be 
proportioned  to  the  number  of  prisoners  ;  a  Cor- 
poral and  4  private  men  from  the  line  to  mount 
at  the  usual  time  to  morrow  morning  for  this 
duty ;  all  prisoners  Except  those  styled  officers 


mentioned  in  the  Introduction,  at  the 
sieges  of  Limerick,  Dublin  and  Kinsale. 
It  served  with  bravery  from  1696-1701, 
in  the  Netherlands,  Ireland  and  Holland  ; 
and,  in  1702,  on  the  elevation  of  the 
Princess  Anne  to  the  throne,  was  desig- 
nated "The  Queen's  Regiment."  -It 
was  among  the  first  to  storm  the  citadel 
at  the  siege  of  Liege  in  the  same  year 
(1702).  In  the  following  year,  it  was  at 
the  siege  of  Huy  and  Limburg  ;  and,  in 
1704,  took  part  in  the  great  battles  of 
Schellenbergand  Blenheim.  At  Helixem, 
it  forced  the  French  lines.  After  the 
suppression  of  the  rebellion  headed  by  the 
Pretender  and  the  Earl  of  Mar  in  1716, 
the  regiment  was  stationed  a  short  time 
at  Glasgow,  at  which  time,  George  I 
showed  his  appreciation  of  its  good 
behavior  on  all  these  occasions  by  con- 
ferring on  it  the  distinguished  title  of 
"  The  King's  Regiment  of  Foot."  On 
obtaining  this  title,  the  facing  of  the 
uniform  was  changed  from  yellow  to  blue, 
and  the  regiment  was  authorized  to  bear 
the  WHITE  HORSE  as  a  regimental  badge 
with  the  motto  NEC  ASPERA  TERRENT. 
In  1777,  at  the  time  of  Burgoyne 
assuming  the  command  of  the  expedition 


from  Canada,  the  protection  of  a  portion 
of  the  Canadian  frontiers  was  confided  to 
it ;  the  regiment  also  furnishing  a  detach- 
ment of  one  hundred  men  for  St.  Leger's 
command,  in  his  campaign  against  Fort 
Stanwix.  In  1809,  it  assisted  in  the 
capture  of  Martinique.  .Again,  in  the 
war  of  1 8 1 2,  it  greatly  distinguished  itself. 
It  participated  in  the  actions  at  Fort 
George  and  Sackett's  Harbor,  Chippawa 
and  Niagara;  and  was  also  at  the  siege  of 
Fort  Erie  and  at  the  battle  of  Plattsburg 
where  it  captured  the  stand  of  American 
colors,  which  Gen.  Sir  George  Prevost 
sent  to  England  to  be  laid  at  the  feet  of 
his  Royal  Highness,  the  Prince  Regent. 
The  Historical  Record  of  the  British  army 
(London,  1844)  thus  concludes  a  sketch 
of  this  regiment.  "  Distinguished  by  a 
long  period  of  meritorious  service,  in- 
cluding heroic  conduct  in  numerous  battles 
and  sieges  which  reflect  lustre  on  the 
British  arms,  and  by  excellent  behavior 
under  all  the  circumstances  of  colonial 
and  home  service,  the  8th  or  the  King's 
Regiment  possesses  a  high  and  an  un- 
tarnished reputation,  and  ranks  among 
the  corps  which  deservedly  possess  the 
confidence  of  the  crown  and  kingdom." 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book. 

from  the  Rebel  army  to  go  on  all  fatigues  daily, 
a  man  of  the  Guard  to  attend  them;  the  Rations 
pr.  day  for  all  Rebel  prisoners  of  whatever  dis- 
tinction to  be  an  oz.  of  pork  and  pound  of  flour1. 
For  duty  to  morrow — K's  Regt,  17  P.;  34th 
Regt,  i  C.  16  P.  ;  R.  R.  Regt,  3  L.  I  S.  i  C. 
32  P. 

REGT  ORDERS.  For  Guard  to  morrow  Ens 
Lipscomb.  i.  i.  2.  and  20  private  men.  Its 
Major  Gray's  orders  that  an  officer  of  a  Compy 
shall  Read  to  the  men  the  Gen.  Orders  against 
trafficking  with  the  Indians  with  Rum%  and  that 
the  officers  imployed  in  seeing  the  Batteaus  car- 
ried over  the  long  Sault  shall  give  in  an  Exact 
list  of  the  number  of  Boats  brought  up  by  each 
squad. 

— 1 5th.  P.  London.  •  C.  Edinburgh.  The 
duty  of  the  Provost  Marshal'.  The  care  of  all 

1  This  order  affords  a  glimpse  of  how  Soon  after,  finding  the  Indians  were  un- 

short  the  rations  had  already  become  even  willing   to  proceed,  St.  Leger  came  away 

at  this  early  stage  of  the  campaign.  from     Salmon     creek     and    arrived     the 

3  St.  Leger,  however,  did  not  in  his  next  day  at  Oswego  with  the  companies 
practice  carry  out  these  excellent  orders,  of  the  8th  and  34th  regiments  and  about 
On  the  contrary,  we  find  Col.  Claus  250  Indians."  Col.  Claus  to  Sec'y.  Knox, 
complaining  greatly  that  owing  to  the  Oct.  16,  1777.  This  conduct  of  St. 
action  of  St.  Leger  in  this  particular,  he  Leger,  however,  may  be  partly  solved  by 
could  with  difficulty  control  those  Indians  the  fact  that  the  English,  save  in  the 
under  his  command.  "  On  the  24th  of  notable  case  of  Sir  William  Johnson, 
July,"  Claus  writes,  "  Brig.  St.  Leger  never  acquired  the  knack  of  managing 
mentioned  my  going  was  chiefly  intended  the  Indians.  The  French,  on  the  con- 
to  quiet  the  Indians  with  him,  who  were  trary,  by  assimilating,  marrying  and 
very  drunk  and  riotous ;  and  Capt.  Tice,  affiliating  with  them,  handled  the  red  men 
who  was  the  messenger,  informed  me  admirably. 

that  St.  Leger  ordered  the  Indians  a  quart         3  The  attention  of  the  reider  is  directed 

of  rum    apiece,  which    made    them    all  to  St.    Leger's   admirable   description   of 

beastly  drunk,  and  in  which  case,    it  is  what    the  duties    of  a    provost    marshal 

not  in  the  power  of  man  to  quiet  them,  should  be. 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  79 

prisoners  taken  in  battle,   spies  and  deserters  is 
Intrusted    to    them   forthwith ;   he  will    have  a 
guard  strong  in  proportion  to  their  number ;  all 
disorders  in  the  camp  fall  under  his  cognizance ; 
he  is  to  have  the  control  of  all  settlers  and  traders 
selling  Liquor,  and  have  authority  for  Impressing 
such  as  he  finds  disobedient  to  General  Orders ; 
he  is  to  regulate  all  markets  that  may  be  formed 
in  the  Camp,  and  appoint  proper  places  for  them, 
and  likewise  to  protect  with  his  authority  and 
guard    all  persons  comming  with  provisions  to 
the  troops ;   he  is  from   time  to  time  to  send  out 
patroles  from  his  guard  and  when  necessary  at- 
tend them  himself  to  take  prisoners  all  marauders 
and  stragglers ;  all  his  reports  are  to  be  made  to 
the  D.  Quartermaster  General — only  for  the  In- 
formation of  the  Commander-in  chief  cases  rel- 
ative to  the  economy  of  the  Comp,  and   to  the 
D.  A.  General  all  Extraordinary  matters  ;  as  spies, 
deserters,  &c.  &c.      In  cases  of  Executions  he  is 
to  the  Martial  law  what  the  Sheriff  of  a  County 
is  to  the  Civil ;  he  is  to  be  provided  with  an  Ex- 
ecutioner when    this  he    Requests    and  when  a 
more  honourable  death  by  fire  arms  is  granted 
he  will  give  the  word  of  command ;  his  guard  is 
to  be  near  headquarters. 

G.  O.  Commanding  officers  of  the  difPrent 
Corps  will  derect  that  the  mens  tents  are  struck 
and  the  rear  turned  up  every  fine  day  at  10  o'clock 
and  remain  so  four  hours  at  least  to  air  them 


8o  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

perfectly  ;  their  streets  must  be  swept  every  morn- 
ing ;  no  washing,  cleaning  of  arms  or  accoutre- 
ments or  doing  any  thing  in  them  that  may  ren- 
der them  filthy  and  Consequently  unwholesome 
must  be  suffered. 

The  K.  R.  R.  of  New  York  will  Expend  that 
part  of  their  ammunition  which  [is]  fit  for  ser- 
vice in  firing  at  marks  Every  morning  in  presence 
of  their  officers.  For  duty — K.  R.  Regt,  i  L.  i 
S.  17  P. ;  34th  Regt,  i  L.  2  C.  15  P. ;  K.  R.  R. 
N.  Y.,  i  L.  i  S.  32  P.  34th  Regiment  to  give 
the  subaltern  of  the  Day  to  morrow,  i  man  to 
be  sent  [as]  orderly  over  the  adjt  General. 

REGT.  ORDERS.  For  Guard  to  morrow  Lieut. 
Walker,  i  S.  i  C.  i  D.  16  private  men — all  the 
men  of  the  R.  Regt  ofN.  Y.  to  fire  two  Rounds 
of  Ball  Cartridge  each  to  morrow  morning  at  10 
o'clock. 

— i6th.  MORNING  ORDERS.  The  Kings  Royal 
Regt  of  N.  York  to  send  one  Sergt  and  i  2  care- 
ful men  to  the  artillery  at  8  o'clock  to  examin 
the  Ammunition.  Signed, 

WM   CROFTS,  Major  Brigade. 

P.  Bristol.  C.  Taunton.  For  duty  to  mor- 
row K.  Regt,  4  P. ;  34th  Regt,  i  C.  6  P.  ;  K.  R. 
Regt  N.  Y.,  i  L.  i  C.  5  P. 

Its  Sir  John's  orders  that  the  officers  Com- 
manding Companys  Settle  with  their  men  Before 
to  morrow  night  and  pay  them  the  Ballance  of 
their  accts  to  the  24th  of  August  Inclusive. 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  81 

Its  Major  Gray's  Orders  that  [the  officers]  see 
that  the  men  wash  their  cloathing  and  clean  their 
arms  to  Morrow  as  there  are  but  few  men  for 
duty  ;  they  will  likewise  Examine  their  Neces- 
saries of  which  they  will  give  a  report  in  writing 
to  Major  Gray. 

-i  7th.  P.  Winchester.  C.  York.  The 
Brigadier  has  the  satisfaction  to  inform  the  Corps 
in  this  expedition  that  Fort  Ticonderoga,  a  large 
Quantity  of  provision  &  artillery  &  stores  with 
their  whole  stock  of  live  cattle  were  abandoned 
by  the  rebels  to  the  grand  army  the  6th  instant ; 
that  many  prisoners  were  taken  &  many  killed, 
and  that  at  the  moment  the  advanced  corps  of 
Indians  were  in  hot  pursuit ;  the  troops  on  this 
expedition  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  em- 
bark on  an  hours  notice;  40  Days  provision  for 
500  men  to  be  immediately  sorted  to  be  ready 
to  be  embarked  on  boats  which  the  superintend- 
ents will  point  out1.  Lieutenant  Collorton  will 

1  As  hinted  in  the  Introduction,  this  ist)  would  make  it  the  same  by  his  detail 

order  for  rations  enables  us  forever  to  put  from   the   different   regiments   sent   out; 

at  rest  the  long  mooted  question  in  regard  and   Dr.  Dwight,  who  visited   Fort  Stan- 

to  the  number  of  men  actually  engaged  wix   in  1799,  gives,  in  his  Travels,   the 

in  this  expedition  against  Fort  Stanwix.  number  from  1,50010  1,800;  while  in 

By  contemporaneous  writers  (among  them  his  History  of  the  American   Revolution, 

Judge  Thomas    Jones  in    his   History  of  Dr.  Gordon   who,  after    all,    has   always 

NCIU  York  during  the  Re-volution)  and  also  stood    the   test  for  accuracy,  differs  from 

by  those  of  later  date,  such,  for  instance,  the  above  authorities,  St.  Leger's  forces, 

as   Col.   Wm.   L.   Stone   in  his   Life   of  by  his   estimate,   having   been  only  800. 

Brant,  Campbell  in  his   History  of  Tryon  Lord  George  Germaine,  also,  in  a  letter 

County,  Lossing,  de  Peyster,  Roberts  and  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  dated  "  Whitehall, 

others,  it  has  invariably  been  stated  that  26th    March,    1777,"  says:  "It  is  the 

St.  Leger's  force  consisted  of  1,700  men,  King's  further  pleasure  that  you  put  under 

including    Indians.       General    Riedesel,  the   command    of    Col.    St.    Leger :     A 

moreover  (see  RiedesePs  Journals,   Vol.  detachment  from  the  8th  regiment,  100  ; 

11 


82  jfohnsoffs   Orderly  Book. 


prepare  ammunition  For  two  6  pounders1  &  2 
Cohorns  and  50  rounds  ball  cartridges  per  man 
for  500  men  and  make  a  demand  of  the  number 
of  large  boats  that  will  be  sufficent  For  their 
transports ;  all  ovens  to  be  set  at  work  to  bake  6 
Days  bread  For  500  men;  great  care  must  be 
taken  that  it  will  be  well  soakt  to  keep  in  that 
time ;  each  corps  to  find  what  bakers  they  have 
[and  report]  to  the  Deputy  Commissary  general 
at  i o  o'clock;  the  kings  regt,  the  34,  Captain 
Watts's  Detachment,  and  Capt  Reveil's  [Rouville] 
corps  to  be  compleated  with  50  rounds  of  good 
ammunition  Immediatly.  All  those  corps  who 
have  it  not  in  their  own  stores  will  make  a  de- 
mand on  the  artillery  and  give  a  receipt  agreable 
to  the  forms  they  require ;  it  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary that  the  officers  commanding  Corps  should 
provide  their  men  with  some  sort  of  cases  to 


a  detachment  from  the  34th  regiment, 
100;  Sir  John  Johnson's  regiment  of 
New  York,  133;  Hanau  Chasseurs,  341; 
total,  675 ;  together  with  a  sufficient 
number  of  Indians  and  Canadians." 

We  are  now,  however,  enabled  to  state 
accurately  the  force  employed  ;  and,  as 
usual,  we  find  that  Dr.  Gordon  is  more 
nearly  correct  than  any  other  writer.  If 
we  consider  that  the  500  rations,  men- 
tioned in  the  text,  were,  as  is  probably 
the  case,  for  the  white  troops  solely,  we 
have  500  as  the  number.  Now,  in  the 
letter  of  Col.  Glaus  to  Secretary  Knox,  it 
is  expressly  stated  that  the  Indians  in 
this  expedition  were  composed  of  150 
Misissagues  (a  tribe  of  the  Hurons)  under 
Claus  himself,  and  300  of  the  Six  Nations 
under  Brant.  Therefore  500  -i  150  f- 
300  gives  the  number  of  St.  Leger's  force 


as  950  all  told  ;  and  this  is  without  doubt 
a  correct  statement.  If,  however,  the 
500  rations  included  the  Indians,  the  total 
number  of  white  and  Indian  troops  would 
be  500,  a  very  much  smaller  force  than 
1,700.  Si.  Leger  left  a  portion  of  his 
force  at  Oswego,  and  refused  to  take  more 
men,  though  strongly  urged  to  do  so  by 
Col.  Claus  (Oausto  Sec'y.  Knox).  Indeed, 
it  was  undoubtedly  owing  to  the  smallness 
of  his  force,  caused  by  his  foolish  belittling 
of  the  enemy's  numbers  and  bravery,  that 
he  failed  to  capture  Fort  Stanwix. 

1  These  two  6  pounders  and  the  two 
cohorns  (mortars)  were  left  behind  by  St. 
Leger  in  his  undignified  and  hasty  retreat 
and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 
N.  T.  Calendar  Re-v.  Papers,  Vol.  11. 


yohnson's  Orderly  Book.  83 

keep  their  locks  dry  through  the  woods  in  rainy 
weather  ;  the  master  of  the  Ship  Colwheel  and 
Mr.  Miller,  the  Chief  Ship  Carpenter  with  any 
other  carpenters  or  seamen  they  think  proper  to 
call  For  to  assist  or  advise  with,  and  to  take  an 
exact  and  particular  Survey  of  the  State  and  con- 
dition of  the  Sloop  Charity,  and  to  make  the  re- 
port to  the  brigadier  in  writing  this  Day,  signi- 
fying therein  whether  their  works  and  timber  will 
admit  of  such  repair  as  will  enable  her  to  sail  the 
lakes  again  with  any  probability  of  safety.  Lieu- 
tenant Barnet  of  the  kings  regt  will  preside  on 
this  survey. 

For  Duty  to  morrow  K  regt,  6  P.;  and  34th, 
I  C.  7  P.;  the  kings  royal  yorkers,  i  L.  I  C.  10 
P.  A  return  to  be  given  in  immediately  by  each 
corps  to  lieutenant  Barnet  of  the  kings  regt  of 
the  number  of  batteaux1,  painters,  oars,  setting- 

1  The  following  extract  from  ffel(Ts  former,  keeping  as  close  as  possible  to  the 

Tra-ve/s  in  Upper  and  Lower  Canada  in  shore,  in  order  to  avoid  the  current,  and 

1795—97,  a  book  now  quite  rare,  will  to  have  the  advantage  of  shallow  water 

give  the  reader  an  excellent  idea  both  of  to  pole  in.  The  men  set  their  poles 

the  manner  in  which  the  setting  poles  together  at  the  same  moment,  and  all 

were  used  in  propelling  the  batteaux,  and  work  at  the  same  side  of  the  batteaux  ; 

of  the  characteristics  of  the  batteaux-men  the  steersman,  however,  shifts  his  pole 

themselves.  occasionally  from  side  to  side  in  order  to 

"  It  was  on  the  z8th  of  August,"  keep  the  vessel  in  an  even  direction.  The 

[1796]  he  writes,  "that  we  reached  La  poles  commonly  used  are  about  eight  feet 

Chine,  the  next  day  the  '  brigade,'  as  it  in  length,  extremely  light  and  headed 

was  called,  of  batteaux  was  ready,  and  in  with  iron.  On  coming  to  a  deep  bay  or 

the  afternoon  we  set  out  on  our  voyage,  inlet,  the  men  abandon  the  poles,  take  to 

Three  men  are  found  sufficient  to  conduct  their  oars,  and  strike,  if  possible,  directly 

an  empty  batteau  of  about  two  tons  burden  across  the  mouth  of 'the  bay  ;  but  in  many 

up  the  St.  Lawrence,  but  if  the  batteaux  places  the  current  proves  so  strong  that  it 

be  laden,  more  are  generally  allowed,  is  absolutely  impossible  to  stem  it  by 

They  ascend  the  stream  by  means  of  means  of  oars,  and  they  are  obliged  to 

poles,  oars  and  sails.  Where  the  current  pole  entirely  round  the  bay.  Whenever 

it  very  strong,  they  make  use  of  the  the  wind  is  favorable  they  set  their  sail  ; 


84. 


'Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


poles  and  paddles,  specifying  the  size  of  the  bat- 
teaux. 

—  i  8th.     P.  Onandaga.     C.  Fort  Bull1.     The 
advance   Guards   consisting  of  all   the  officers  & 


but  it  is  only  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
river,  beyond  the  rapids,  or  on  the  lakes 
or  broad  parts  of  it  where  the  current  is 
not  swift,  that  the  sail  by  itself  is  sufficient 
to  impel  them  forward. 

"  The  exertion  it  requires  to  counteract 
the  force  of  the  stream  by  means  of  poles 
and  oars  is  so  great,  that  the  men  are 
obliged  to  stop  very  frequently  to  take 
breath.  The  places  at  which  they  stop 
are  regularly  ascertained ;  some  of  them, 
where  the  current  is  very  rapid,  are  not 
more  than  half  a  mile  distant  one  from 
the  other ;  others  one  or  two,  but  none 
of  them  more  than  four  miles  apart. 
Each  of  these  places,  the  boatmen,  who 
are  almost  all  French  Canadians,  denomi- 
nate '  une  fife,'  because  they  are  allowed 
to  stop  at  it  and  fill  their  pipes.  A  French 
Canadian  is  scarcely  ever  without  a  pipe 
in  his  mouth,  whether  working  at  the 
oar  or  plow ;  whether  on  foot,  or  on 
horseback ;  indeed,  so  much  addicted  are 
the  people  to  smoking,  that  by  the  burn- 
ing of  tobacco  in  their  pipes,  they  com- 
monly ascertain  the  distance  from  one 
place  to  another.  Such  a  place,  they  say, 
is  three  pipes  off,  that  is,  it  is  so  far  off 
that  you  may  smoke  three  pipes  full  of 
tobacco  whilst  you  go  thither.  A  pipe  as 
in  the  most  general  acceptation  of  the 
word,  seemed  to  be  about  three-quarters 
of  an  English  mile. 

"  The  men,  who  are  engaged  in  conduct- 
ing batteaux  in  Canada,  are,  as  I  have 
before  observed,  a  very  hardy  race.  When 
the  weather  is  fair,  they  sleep  on  the 
grass  at  night,  without. any  other  covering 
than  a  short  blanket,  scarcely  reaching 
down  to  their  knees  ;  during  wet  weather 
a  sail  or  blanket  to  the  weather  side 
spread  on  poles  stuck  into  the  ground  in 
an  inclined  direction,  is  all  the  shelter 


they  deem  necessary.  On  setting  out, 
each  man  is  furnished  with  a  certain 
allowance  of  salted  pork,  biscuit,  pease 
and  brandy;  the  pease  and  biscuit  they 
boil  with  some  of  the  pork  into  porridge, 
and  a  large  vessel  full  of  it  is  generally 
kept  at  the  head  of  the  batteaux,  for  the 
use  of  the  crew  when  they  stop  in  the 
course  of  the  day.  This  porridge,  or  else 
cold  fat  salted  pork,  with  cucumbers, 
constitutes  the  principal  part  of  their  food. 
The  cucumber  is  a  fruit  that  the  lower 
classes  of  French  Canadians  are  extremely 
fond  of;  they  use  it  however  in  a  very  in- 
different state,  as  they  never  pull  it  until 
it  has  attained  a  large  size,  and  is  become 
yellow  and  seedy.  Cucumbers  thus 
mellow,  chopped  into  small  pieces  without 
being  peeled,  and  afterwards  mixed  with 
sour  cream,  is  one  of  their  favorite  dishes." 
From  the  above  extract,  it  may  be  seen 
that  a  person  reading  at  the  time  it  was 
written,  the  text  a  few  sentences  in  advance 
under  date  of  the  i8th,  where  the  ex- 
pression "  to  be  ready  to  fuiA  in  the 
morning  "  is  used,  would  not  have  needed 
the  explanatory  word  "  ahead  "  which  we 
have  inserted  in  brackets.  At  that  time, 
the  phrase  "  to  be  ready  to  push  at  a 
moment's  warning  "  was  used,  and  under- 
stood in  reference  to  the  poling  operation, 
as  if,  now,  one  should  say,  "  to  be  ready 
to  sail  in  the  morning,"  or  "  to  be  ready 
to  row  in  the  morning,"  the  verb  "  to 
push  "  being  at  that  time  used  in  a  strictly 
conventional  or  technical  sense,  and  not 
as  we  at  the  present  day  employ  the  term 
"  to  push  forward,"  i.  e.,  "  to  start." 

1  Fort  Bull,  situated  about  half-way  on 
the  Oneida  portage,  played  a  prominent 
part  in  the  early  border  warfare  of  New 
York.  It  had  always  given  the  French 


Johnson  s  Orderly  Book.  85 

80  rank  &  file  of  the  Kings  &  34th  Regts,  the 
Tribe  of  Misisagey  Indians,  with  what  is  on  the 
Island  of  the  Six  Nations,  &  the  officers  and 
rangers  will  move  to  morrow  Morning  at  4 
o'clock. 

The  Kings  &  34th  Regts  will  Receive  10 
Boats  Each  for  their  men  &  twenty  days  pro- 
vision. The  officers  will  be  allowed  a  proper 
portion  of  Boats  for  their  Baggage  on  their  way 
to  Oswego,  those  boats  will  be  man'd  by  the  Su- 
pernumeraries of  each  corps.  Capt.  Ruvielle's 
corps  of  Canadians  will  remove  the  same  time  & 
carry  20  Days  provisions  for  500  men.  The  Corps 
will  be  assisted  by  a  proper  number  of  men  [from] 
the  Ks  and  34th  to  mount  the  Rapids  from  Os- 
wego to  Fort  Stanwix1.  The  provision  boats  as 

trouble;  and  on  the  lyth  of  March,  1756,  on  the  ruins  of  old  Fort  Williams  (named 

De  Levy  with  three  hundred  men,  suddenly  after    Capt.    William    Williams    of    Sir 

appeared   before  it  and   summoned    it  to  William   Pepperell's  regiment,   who  was 

surrender.       This    summons,    Sir    Wm.  in  command  of  the  fort  for  a  short  time) 

Johnson   hav'ng  meanwhile  supplied   the  near  the  rise  of  the  Mohawk  river  on  the 

commander  with   abundance  of  ammuni-  Oneida   Carrying   Place  at    the   head    of 

tion,  was  answered  by  a  shower  of  bullets,  boat  navigation,  the  site  of  the  present 

This  so  exasperated  De  Levy  that  he  forth  city  of  Rome,   N.  Y.     '' It  was  a  strong 

with  ordered  a  charge,  and  breaking  down  square    fortification,    having    bomb-proof 

the  gate,  put  all  but  thirty  of  the  garrison  bastions,  a  glacis,  covert  way,  and    a  well 

to  the  sword.      The  French  officer  then  picketed  ditch  around  the  ramparts."     Its 

burned    the    fort,  and    having    destroyed  position  was  important  in  a  military  point 

forty  thousand  pounds  of  powder,  returned  of  view,  for  it  commanded  the  portage 

with  his  prisoners  into  Canada  with  the  between  the  Mohawk  and  Wood  creek, 

loss  of  only  three  men.     Stone's  Sir   Wm.  and  was  a  key  to  communication  between 

Johnson,  Vol.  n,  p.   I.  the  Mohawk  valley  and  Lake  Champlain. 

The  works  cost  the  British  and  Colonial 

1  This   fort    has   quite   a    history.     In  government    two    hundred  and    sixty-six 

1758,  General  John  Stanwix,  who  came  thousand  four  hundred  dollars,  yet  when 

to  America  in  1756,  as  colonel  of  the  1st  the  Revolution  broke  out  the  fort  and  its 

Battalion  of  the  6oth  Royal  Americans,  outposts  were  in  ruins.      Accordingly,  in 

was  sent   by  General  Abercrombie  after  1776,  it  was  repaired  by  Colonel  Dayton, 

his  defeat  at  Ticonderoga  to  build  a  fort  who,  to   please  his   patron,  Gen.    Philip 


86 


^Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


well  as  those  of  the  officers  baggage  are  to  be 
Loaded  this  Evening  ready  to  push  [ahead]  at  a 
moment's  warning  in  the  morning.  The  advance 
Corps  to  carry  6  Days  provision  in  bread  &  pork 
to  shut  out  any  possibility  of  want  of  provision 
from  Delays  or  Disappointments  of  the  Ks  ves- 


Schuyler,  changed  its  name  to  Fort 
Schuyler.  In  a  manuscript  letter,  'now 
in  my  possession  and  before  me  as  I  write, 
under  date  of  "  German  Flats,  Aug.  8th, 
1776,"  General  Schuyler  writes  to  Col. 
Dayton  as  follows  :  "  *  *  *  I  thank  you 
for  the  honor  you  have  done  me  in  calling 
the  fort  by  my  name.  As  I  cannot,  con- 
sistent with  delicacy,  announce  this  to 
Congress,  would  it  not  be  right  for  you 
to  do  it,  and  to  General  Washington  ?  " 
Although  known  by  the  Americans 
during  the  war  as  Fort  Schuyler,  yet  the 
name  did  not  "  take  ;  "  and  it  has  always 
been  known  in  history  by  its  original  one, 
"Fort  Stanwix."  Fort  Schuyler  (Fort 
Stanwix)  must  not  be  confounded  with 
the  one  built  on  the  present  site  of  Utica, 
N.  Y.,  which  latter  has  been  known  as 
"  Old  Fort  Schuyler  "  to  distinguish  it 
from  Fort  Schuyler  of  Fort  Stanwix  fame. 
Fort  Stanwix  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  a 
a  freshet  in  1781,  and  was  never  rebuilt. 
At  the  time  of  St.  Leger's  siege,  the  fort 
was  garrisoned  by  the  3d  New  York  Con- 
tinental regiment,  a  company  of  artillery, 
and  a  small  body  of  infantry,  consisting 
in  all  of  six  hundred  men  (de  Lancey 
says  700)  and  commanded  by  that  staunch 
patriot,  Colonel  Peter  Gansevoort. 

We  cannot,  however,  dismiss  Fort 
Stanwix  without  noticing  one  incident  in 
particular,  which,  if  for  no  other  reason, 
must  always  make  this  fort  memorable 
in  our  Revolutionary  annals.  We  allude 
to  the  fact  that  it  was  on  her  ramparts 
during  St.  Leger's  siege,  that  the  stars  and 
stripes  were  unfurled  for  the  first  time ! 
In  writing  of  this  siege  and  of  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  flag,  Colonel  Stone,  in 


his  Life  of'  Brant,  says :  "  A  besieging 
army  was  before  the  fort,  and  its  garrison 
was  without  a  flag !  But  as  necessity  is 
the  mother  of  invention,  they  were  not 
long  thus  destitute.  Stripes  of  white  were 
cut  from  ammunition  shirts,  blue  from  a 
camlet  cloak  captured  from  the  enemy ; 
while  the  red  was  supplied  from  the  petti- 
coat of  a  soldier's  wife ;  and  thus  fur- 
nished, commenced  the  celebrated  siege 
of  Fort  Schuyler"  [Stanwix].  In  the 
late  Oriskany  centennial,  Ex-Governor 
Horatio  Seymour,  speaking  of  this  flag 
in  his  address  of  welcome,  at  its  close 
eloquently  said  :  **  It  is  a  just  source  of 
patriotic  pride  to  those  who  live  in  this 
valley  [i.  e.,  the  Mohawk  valley]  that 
the  flag  of  our  country  (with  the  stars 
and  stripes)  was  first  displayed  in  the  face 
of  our  enemies  on  the  banks  of  the 
Mohawk.  Here  it  was  baptized  in  the 
blood  of  battle.  Here  it  first  waved  in 
triumph  over  a  recreating  foe.  When 
the  heroic  defenders  of  Fort  Stanwix 
learned  in  that  remote  fortress  the  emblem 
adopted  by  the  Continental  Congress  for 
the  standards  to  be  borne  by  its  armies, 
they  hastened  to  make  one  in  accordance 
with  the  mandate,  and  to  hang  it  out 
from  the  walls  of  their  fortress.  It  was 
rudely  made  of  such  materials  cut  from 
the  clothing  of  the  soldiers  as  were  fitted 
to  show  its  colors  and  its  designs.  But 
no  other  standard  however  skillfully 
wrought  upon  silken  folds  could  equal  in 
interest  the  first  flag  of  our  country 
worked  out  by  the  unskillful  hands  of 
brave  men  amid  the  strife  of  war  and 
under  the  fire  of  beleaguering  foes.  It 
was  to  rescue  it  from  its  perils  that  the 


"Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  87 

sels  ;  the  officer  command'g  in  chief  finds  himself 
under  the  painfull  necessity  of  putting  a  short 
stop  to  the  currency  of  Trade  by  ordering  that 
the  crews  of  the  boats  that  come  to  unload  on  the 
Island  may  go  one  trip  with  provision  to  Oswego 
for  which  they  will  be  paid.  Every  Brigade  of 
provision  boats,  which  arrived  before  the  return 
of  the  vessals  from  Niagara,  Capt  Potts  will  push 
forward  to  Oswego  with  all  Expedition. 

REGTL  ORDERS.  For  Guard  to  morrow  En- 
sign Wall,  i  S.  i  C.  i  D.  15  P.  Each  officer 
Commanding  Companys  is  to  pay  3  Dollars,  Each 
subaltern  i  Dollar  to  the  Quartermaster  in  order 
to  pay  the  men  that  carry'd  the  batteaux  over  the 
Long  Sault,  &  the  officers  of  the  Colonels  Com- 
pany to  pay  Three  Dollars  extraordinary  [for] 
the  batteau  that  was  lost  at  Point  Abaw1  in  place 

men  of  this  valley  left  their   homes  and  it  on  the   battle  fields  of  the  Revolution, 

marched  through   the  deep  forest  to  this  When  it  is  now  unfurled  let  it  receive  the 

spot.  military  honors  accorded   to  it  a  hundred 

"  It  was  to  uphold  the  cause  of  which  it  years  ago  j   and  let  us  reverently  uncover 

was  the  emblem  that  they  battled    here,  our   heads   in   memory  of  the   dead  who 

Time  has    destroyed   that  standard,  but  I  watched  and  guarded  it  through  the  perils 

hold  in  my  hand- another  banner  hardly  less  of  ancient  war." 

sacred  in  its  associations  with  our  history.  "John  F.  Seymour  then  displayed  the 
It  is  the  flag  of  our  State  which  was  borne  flag  upon  which  the  vast  audience  gave 
by  the  regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  three  rousing  cheers  and  lifted  their  hats. 
Gansevoort,  not  only  here  at  the  beginning  "  All  the  military  presented  arms  and  the 
of  the  Revolutionary  war,  but  also  when  it  band  played  the  'Star  Spangled  Banner.'  " 
ended  by  the  surrender  of  the  British  This  flag  was  the  standard  of  the  Third 
army  at  Yorktown.  The  brave  soldier  New  York  regiment  commanded  by  Col. 
who  carried  it  valued  it  beyond  all  earthly  Peter  Gansevoort,  who  at  the  disbandment 
possessions.  He  left  it  as  a  precious  heir-  of  the  army  retained  it  in  his  own  posses- 
loom  to  his  family.  They  have  kept  it  sion  and  handed  it  down  to  his  son,  the 
with  such  faithful  care  that  now  after  a  late  Peter  Gansevoort,  from  whom  it 
century  has  rolled  away  its  folds  can  be  descended  to  his  daughter  Mrs.  Abraham 
displayed  in  this  valley  to  another  genera-  Lansing,  of  Albany,  in  whose  hands  it  is 
tion  who  will  look  upon  it  with  a  devotion  now  reverently  preserved, 
equal  to  that  felt  by  those  who  followed  *  Point  au  Baudet,  situated  in  Lake  St. 


88  Jobmorfs  Orderly  Book. 

of  Five  paid  to  the  Indians  for  finding  the  5th 
Batteau,  and  for  the  future  whatever  Companys 
shall  lose  Batteaux  or  provisions  by  negligence 
shall  pay  the  whole  value  &  be  liable  to  censure 
besides;  as  men  seem  to  be  careless  about  their 
arms  &  Accoutrements  it  is  the  Commanding 
officers  orders  that  at  Roll  Call  evening  &  morn- 
ing the  men  appear  with  their  arms,  and  who- 
ever loses  any  of  them  shall  be  obliged  to  pay 
for  the  same. 

—  T9th.  P.  Hesse  Hanau.  C.  Cassel.  The 
troop  [i.  e.  Bugle- callj  will  assemble  the  advan- 
ced corps,  &  upon  the  beating  the  second  troop, 
they  will  embark.  Each  corps  will  be  allowed 
i  boat  to  carry  such  things  as  will  be  immediately 
wanted,  which  will  move  with  the  Artillery  and 
provisions  destined  for  Fort  Stanwix.  The  re- 
mainder will  stay  at  Oswego1  till  a  general  clear- 
ance of  that  post.  The  whole  Brigade  of  Cana- 
dians that  brought  up  the  Hessians  to  be  employed 
in  carrying  provisions  to  Oswego  after  giving 
Eight  hands  to  strengthen  Capt  Rouvilles  Com- 
pany. The  Artillery  under  the  conduct  of  Lt 

Francis    in  the    St.   Lawrence,   and   the  here  which   proved   to   be  a  tavern,  and 

place  where  the  boundary  line  begins  that  afforded  us  a  well-drest  supper  of  venison, 

separates  Upper  from  Lower  Canada.     It  and  decent  accommodation  for  the  night." 

was,  too,  just  the  spot  where  a  batteau  Weld   had   been   obliged,  on  account   of 

might  very  easily  be  lost,  since  when  the  the  surf  and  the  strong  south-west  wind 

wind    comes  from   the   south-west,    the  then  prevailing,  to  tarry  over  at  the  Point 

immense   body  of  water  in   the   lake  is  until  the  next   morning.     To  what   cir- 

impelled   directly  towards  this  point,  and  cumstance  Point  au  Baudet  (Point  of  the 

a  surf  breaks    in    upon    the    beach,    as  Donkey)  owes  its  name,  is  not  stated, 
tremendous  as  is  seen  on  the  sea  shore. 

When  Weld  visited   the  place  in   1796,  '  For  the  following  admirable  sketch 

"  there  was,"  he  says,  "  one  solitary  house  of  Oswego,  I  am  indebted   to  Mr.  B.  B. 


jfobnson's  Orderly  Book. 


Collerton  to  carry  20  days  Provision  for  their 
own  Detachment.  Three  of  the  Rebel  Prisoners 
now  in  the  Provo  Guard  who  have  taken  the 
oaths  of  allegiance  to  the  King  are  to  be  em- 
ployed as  Batteau  men  to  Lt.  Glennie's  Detach- 
ment to  which  will  be  added  10  Men  of  the 
Royal  Yorkers  which  takes  two  boats  from  their 
proper  line  of  transports. 


Hurt,  of  that  city,  who,  though  heavily 
burdened  with  professional  duties,  kindly 
found  time  to  prepare  it.  Mr.  Burt  is 
well  known,  together  with  Mr.  O.  H. 
Marshall,  and  Mr.  Wm.  C.  Bryant,  of 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  as  one  who  has  made  the 
early  history  of  Lake  Ontario  a  profound 
study ;  and  this  sketch  from  his  pen, 
will,  I  believe,  be  highly  appreciated  by 
all  historical  students.  Mr.  Burt  writes  : 
"  The  Onondaga  Indians  have  a  tradi- 
tion that  Ta-oun-ya-ivat-Aa,  the  deity  that 
presides  over  fisheries  and  hunting  grounds 
came  down  from  above  in  his  white  canoe, 
and  selected  a  couple  of  warriors  from 
among  the  Onondagas,  who  met  him  at 
Oswego.  They  together  passed  up  the 
Oswego  river  and  removed  all  obstructions 
to  navigation  so  that  canoes  could  pass  in 
safety. 

"  The  first  European  that  discovered  Lake 
Ontario  was  Champlain,  in  1615.  In  the 
month  of  October  of  that  year  he  left 
Canada  to  go  to  a  fortified  village  of  the 
Iroquoi?,  in  the  Onondaga  county.  He 
crossed  the  outlet  of  Lake  Ontario  with 
an  armed  party  of  ten  Frenchmen  and 
some  Indian  allies  ;  and  after  passing  many 
islands  followed  the  eastern  shore  of  the 
lake  to  a  point  where  they  landed.  After 
leaving  their  canoes,  they  proceeded  about 
four  leagues  over  a  sandy  tract,  and  came 
to  a  very  beautiful  country.  This  was  the 
town  of  Sandy  creek  and  Richland  in 
this  county.  Leaving  the  shores  of  the 
lake  they  went  southward  and  crossed  the 
•outlet  of  Oneida  lake. 

12 


"  In  October,  1653,  Father  Joseph  Poncet, 
a  Jesuit  missionary,  on  a  return  from  a 
visit  to  the  Mohawk  country  went  through 
Oswego  on  his  way  down  the  St.  Law- 
rence river. 

"  In  July,  or  early  in  August,  1654,  the 
Jesuit  Father,  Simon  Le  Moyne,  visited 
Oswego  on  his  way  to  Onondaga,  and  on 
the  1 6th  of  August  of  that  year  discovered 
the  salt  springs  at  Salina. 

"  On  the  29th  day  of  October,  1655, 
Father  Chanmonot  and  the  Jesuit  Dablon 
arrived  at  Ontiahantaque  (Oswego),  and 
encamped  there  for  a  day  or  two,  on  their 
way  to  Onondaga.  They  describe  it  as  a 
large  river  discharging  into  Lake  Ontario. 
Dablon  gave  a  description  of  the  place. 

<l  In  1656,  the  expedition  that  founded 
the  colony  Genentaha,  on  Onondaga  lake, 
was  at  Oswego.  The  historian  of  the 
party  said  :  '  On  the  7th  July  we  arrived, 
about  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river  [Oswego]  which  flows 
from  the  Lake  Genentaha  [Onondaga], 
on  the  bank  of  which  we  proceeded  to 
erect  a  dwelling  for  the  night.  The  next 
day  we  found  the  currents  of  water  so 
rapid  that  it  required  all  our  force  to  sur- 
mount them.' 

"  On  a  French  map  made  by  Franquelin, 
in  1679,  Oswego  is  called  Onontaguero. 
In  June  or  July,  1679,  Father  Hennepin 
and  associates  came  to  Oswego  in  a  brig- 
antine,  and  erected  a  bark  cabin  half  a 
league  in  the  woods  for  divine  service  and 
to  avoid  the  intrusion  of  the  savages,  who 
came  to  trade  for  powder,  etc.,  and  par- 


90  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

—  1 9th.  AFTER  ORDERS.  The  several  corps 
to  proceed  in  2  lines  dressing.  The  leading  boats, 
the  officer  commanding  in  chief  &  the  staff  to 
Lead  ;  the  lines  to  be  followed  by  the  Artillery, 
Kings  Regt,  Capt  Ruvill's  Company,  &  2  Merchts 
boats  &  34th  Regt. 


ticularly  brandy.  M.  De  Chesnau  wrote 
a  letter  to  Count  Frontenac,  dated  July 
28,  1682,  and  called  Oswego  '  Techo- 
naguen  * ;  and  on  July  28,  1696,  Count 
Frontenac  arrived  at  Oswego  on  his  ex- 
pedition against  the  Onondagas. 

"  The  English  regarded  Oswego  as  a 
place  of  importance,  and  in  1722  estab- 
lished a  trading  house  there,  and  in  1727, 
under  colonial  Govornor  Burnet,  it  was 
strengthened  and  fortified  and  named 
'  Fort  Oswego';  and  on  some  maps  it  was 
called  '  Fort  Pepperell,'  and  was  the  first 
fort  constructed  there. 

"John  Bartram  on  a  trip  from  Philadel- 
phia to  Canada  arrived  in  Oswego  on 
the  25th  day  of  July,  1743,  and  described 
the  place  as  follows :  '  On  the  point 
formed  by  the  entrance  of  the  river  [into 
Lake  Ontario]  stands  a  fort  or  trading 
castle  ;  it  is  a  strong  stone  house  encom- 
passed with  a  stone  wall  near  twenty  feet 
high,  and  120  paces  round,  built  of  large 
square  stones  curious  for  their  softness. 
I  cut  my  name  in  it  with  my  knife.  The 
town  consists  of  about  seventy  log  houses, 
of  which  one-half  are  in  a  row  near  the 
river,  the  other  half  opposite  them. 
On  the  other  side  of  a  fair  were  two 
streets,  divided  by  a  row  of  posts  in  the 
midst  where  each  Indian  has  his  house 
to  lay  his  goods,  and  where  any  of  the 
traders  may  traffic  with  him.' 

"In  1755  Gen.  Shirley  came  to  Oswego 
with  the  intention  of  attacking  Fort  Niag- 
ara, then  in  the  possession  of  the  French, 
but  there  being  a  delay  in  getting  supplies 
and  a  difficulty  in  obtaining  transports,  the 
expedition  was  abandoned  for  that  year. 
Lieut.  Col.  Mercer  was  left  with  about 


700  men  and  during  that  fall  and  ensuing 
winter  and  spring  constructed  two  new 
forts  :  '  Fort  Ontario  '  on  the  east  and 
4  Oswego  new  fort '  or  '  Fort  George  '  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river. 

"All  of  these  forts  were  captured  by  Mont- 
calm,  August  14,  1756  and  destroyed, 
and  Oswego  abandoned  by  the  French. 
Soon  thereafter  the  English  again  occupied 
the  place  and  rebuilt  Fort  Ontario  on 
nearly  the  site  of  the  fort  which  still  bears 
that  name,  and  was  the  only  one  rebuilt. 
"The  first  vessel  constructed  by  the 
English  on  Lake  Ontario,  was  at  Oswego 
in  1755  At  that  time  the  French 
called  Oswego  '  Chouaguen.' 

"  Gen.  Bradstreet  accompanied  by  3,000 
men  remained  in  Oswego  for  a  short  time, 
in  August,  1758,  on  his  way  to  capture 
Fort  Frontenac. 

"On  the  27th  day  of  June,  1759,  Gen. 
Prideaux  and  Sir  William  Johnson  with 
an  army,  arrived  at  Oswego,  on  the  way 
to  capture  Fort  Niagara ;  were  engaged 
in  procuring  provisions  on  the  28th,  29th 
and  3<3th,  and  in  making  preparations 
for  the  march  ;  left  Oswego,  July  ist ; 
arrived  before  Niagara  on  the  8th,  and 
August  8th  invested  and  took  the  fort ; 
after  which  the  army  in  two  vessels  and 
accompanied  by  Sir  William  Johnson 
(Prideaux  having,  meanwhile,  been  killed 
at  Niagara),  returned  to  Oswego  on  Tues- 
day the  7th  of  August.  Sir  William 
remained  here  several  days  engaged  in 
rebuilding  Fort  Ontario  in  a  pentagon 
form,  and  passing  his  leisure  moments  in 
shooting  and  fishing.  In  your  own  Life 
of  Sir  Willtam  Johnson,  you  give  in  the 
appendix  to  Vol.  n,  the  journal  of  the 


'Johnson's   Orderly  Book.  91 

Signals  to  be  observ'd  by  the  Detach'mt ;  the 
Ensign  hoisted  a  mid  ships  and  one  musket  a 
Signal  for  all  boats  to  put  off.  The  Ensign 
hoisted  in  the  bow  and  one  musket  a  signal  for 
all  boats  to  put  ashore.  A  Signal  to  be  made  by 
any  boat  in  Distress,  three  successive  muskets ; 
a  signal  for  [illegible]  any  thing  white  in  the  bow1. 


Baronet  kept  by  him  during  his  stay  at  this 
time  at  Oswego,  which  is  full  of  interest. 
Mrs.  Grant,  also,  in  her  Memoirs  of 
an  American  Lady,  speaks  very  pleasantly 
of  the  winter  of  1759-60,  which  she 
spent  at  Fort  Ontario. 

"July  or  August,  1760,  General  (after- 
wards Lord)  Amherst  left  Oswego,  with 
10,000  men  for  Canada,  to  destroy  the 
French  dominion  there  ;  and  on  the  gth 
of  July  of  the  same  year,  Col.  Woodhull, 
with  a  collection  of  troops  from  Massa- 
chusetts, Rhode  Island,  New  Hampshire, 
Connecticut  and  New  Jersey  and  the  44th 
Highlanders,  arrived  at  Oswego  and  en- 
camped near  Fort  Ontario  on  the  i6th  of 
July.  His  journal  closes  with  the  army 
at  Oswego,  July  2,oth. 

"  On  Tuesday,  the  aistof  July,  1761 
(Sunday),  Sir  William  Johnson  arrived 
on  his  way  to  Detroit,  at  Oswego,  and  on 
the  aist  held  a  conference  with  the 
Onondaga  natives,  at  which  Maj.  Duncan, 
Capt.  Gray  and  several  officers  of  the  5^th 
and  Gen.  Gage's  regiments,  Lieut.  Guy 
Johnson  acting  as  secretary,  with  inter- 
preters and  upwards  of  forty  sachems  and 
warriors  were  present.  Sir  William 
opened  the  meeting  by  welcoming  them 
to  Oswego.  For  the  particulars  of  this 
conference  see  your  Life  of  Sir  William 
Johnson,  Vol.  n,  p.  435-438. 

"July  23  to  31,  1766,  there  was  an 
Indian  council  at  Oswego,  at  which 
Pontiac  and  other  chiefs  and  Sir  William 
Johnson  were  present. 

"July  27th  and  28th,  1777,  the  expedi- 
tion  under  Gen.   St.    Leger  left  Oswego 


and    in   August  fought   at   the  battle   of 
Oriskany. 

*'  Oswego  although  not  a  battle  ground 
during  the  Revolution,  was  garrisoned  by  a 
strong  British  force,  and  was  a  place  of 
general  rendezvous  for  the  English  and 
their  allies,  Brant,  Johnson  and  others. 
The  p'ace  continued  in  the  possession  of 
the  English  until  it  was  surrendered  to 
the  United  States,  under  Jay's  treaty,  July 
15,  1796,  and  on  that  day  the  first  Amer- 
ican flag  was  displayed  at  the  fort.  Soon 
thereafter  settlers  arrived  ;  the  first,  Neil 
McMullen,  a  merchant  from  Kingston, 
who  had  furnished  supplies  to  the  fort 
prior  to  its  surrender.  He  brought  a 
frame  and  put  up  a  house,  which  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  first  frame  house 
built. 

"  Oswego  was  captured  by  the  English 
May  6,  1814. 

The  name  Oswego  is  derived  from 
'  Swa-geh  '  of  the  Onondaga  dialect, 
signifying  '  Flowing  out '  or  the  '  dis- 
charging place  *  of  the  numerous  lakes  of 
Central  New  York. 

"  At  the  present  time,  Oswego  is  a  thriving 
city  of  about  2,3,000  inhabitants,  possess- 
ing excellent  advantages  for  commerce  on 
the  lake  and  canal,  also  railroad  facilities  ; 
has  a  fine  water  power,  large  manufac- 
tories ;  beautifully  situated,  healthy  and 
in  other  respects  a  desirable  place  for  busi- 
ness as  well  as  residence." 

1  Not  being  able  fully  to  make  out  this 
word  in  the  MS.,  I  have  said,  in  the  text, 
"  illegible."  Still,  it  looks  to  me  like 


92  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 

All  signals  to  be  Repeated  by  commanding  offi- 
cers of  corps. 

The  Detachment  of  Royal  Artillery  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.  Glennie,  the  R.  R.  N.  York- 
ers, the  Companies  of  Chasseurs1  &  officers  & 
Rangers1  of  the  Indian  Department  &  Canadians 
Destined  for  the  transport  of  provisions  are  to 
hold  themselves  in  Readiness  to  embark  to  mor- 
row Morning  at  4  o'clock,  for  which  purpose  the 
officers  commandn'g  the  different  Corps  are  to  see 
that  their  Boats  are  loaded  this  evening;  all  the 
ovens  to  be  Imploy'd  this  evening  in  Bakeing  for 
the  Hessians.  Three  Canadians  out  of  each  of 
the  7  boats  to  be  Imploy'd  as  Steersmen  to  the 
Royal  Yorkers  &  Hessians,  for  which  in  equal 
Number  agreeable  to  the  proportion  [of]  each 
Corps,  Receipts  must  be  given  for  the  Provision 
boats.  The  whole  to  proceed  in  the  Following 
order.  First,  The  Command'g  officer  with  such 
of  the  staff  &  Indian  Department  as  are  on  the 
Ground. 

"the  charity,"  i.  e.,  the  sloop  Charity.  a  "The  origin  of  Rangers,  since  the 
Hence  (as  we  know  that  this  sloop  with  late  Sir  Wm.  Johnson's  time,  was  to  in- 
some  guns  accompanied  the  boats  for  pro-  termix  them  with  the  Indians,  when  on 
tection)  it  probably  meant  that  when  a  service,  and  be  commanded  by  the  Indian 
great  danger  arose,  the  "  Charity  "  would  officers.  Formerly  none  but  those  ac- 
be  signaled  to  advance,  as  quickly  as  quainted  with  the  Indians  and  their  Ian- 
possible,  and  aid  the  convoy.  guage  were  admitted,  and  received  half  a 

crown  pay  ;  now  that  distinction,  though 

1  Col.  Claus,  however,  in  his  letter  to  essentially  necessary,  is   no  more  made, 

Secretary  Knox,  above  referred  to,  speaks  which  makes  his  commission  become  an 

of  only  one  company  of  Chasseurs,    and  additional    useless   expense,   though   very 

that  arrived  a  day  or  two  before  the  1910  beneficial  to  him."     Col.  C/aus  to  Secretary 

of  July.  Knox,  i6tA  Oct.,  1777. 


Orderly  Book. 


93 


OSWEGO  FALLS' 

-1777  JULY  3ist.  P.  York.  The  Detach- 
ment of  the  Royal  artillery  under  the  command 
of  Lieut.  Glenne,  the  R.  R.  of  N.  Y.  of  Capt. 
Buvills  |  Rouville]*  company  of  Canadians  to  take 
in  their  loading  immediat'ly ;  each  captains  boat 
in  the  royal  Yorkers  to  carry  4  barrels,  10  lieut 
boats  5  each,  lieutenant  Anderson  J.  Wilkerson 
to  carry  4  Barrels  each,  the  privates'  boats  to 
carry  6  each,  and  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness 


1  Oswego  Falls  are  about  twelve  miles 
south-east  from  Oswego  on  the  Oswego 
river.  In  early  times,  the  river  was  called 
"  Onondaga,"  and  the  falls  after  the 
name  of  the  river.  The  fall  proper  is 
about  twelve  feet  with  rapids  for  about  a 
mile  below,  which  rendered  it  necessary 
to  have  a  carrying  place  on  the  east  side 
of  the  river  of  about  a  mile,  the  termini 
being  called  the  upper  and  lower  landings. 
There  is  a  fall  of  about  seventy  feet  from 
the  head  of  Oswego  Falls  to  Oswego,  and 
it  took  five  days  to  go  from  Oswego  to 
Fort  Bull  (at  the  carrying  place  at  Fort 
Stanwix)  and  only  three  and  a-half  days 
to  come  from  Fort  Bull  to  Oswego.  This 
arose  from  having  to  contend  with  the 
currents  in  the  river.  In  1759,  a  fort 
was  constructed  near  the  eastern  end  of 
the  falls  ;  thus,  between  Oswego  and  Fort 
Stanwix,  there  were  three  forts,  viz.  :  the 
fort  at  Oswego  Falls,  Fort  Brewerton  at 
the  outlet  of  Oneida  Lake,  and  Fort 
Bull  at  the  carrying  place  between  the 
Mohawk  river  and  Wood  creek.  About 
1792,  settlements  were  made  at  the 
upper  and  lower  landings  of  the  carrying 
place  and  also  at  the  westerly  end  of  the 
falls.  It  has  always  been  a  good  place 
for  catching  eels  in  weirs.  B.  B.  Bun. 

The  reader   should   be   informed   that 


the  hiatus  which  here  occurs  in  the 
Orderly  Book  between  the  I9th  and  the 
3istof  July  is  due  to  the  fact  that  at  that 
time  the  troops  of  St.  Leger  and  Sir  John 
Johnson  were  passing  from  Buck's  (Carle- 
ton)  Island  to  Oswego  Falls  in  boats. 

2  Captain  Rouville,  together  with 
Lieutenants  Lundy  and  Glenie  mentioned 
previously  in  the  text,  did  efficient  service 
in  the  events  which  subsequently  took 
place.  Col.  St.  Leger,  in  his  "  Account 
of  Occurrences  at  Fort  Stanwix, "  published 
in  the  Appendix  to  Burgoyne's  State  of 
the  Expedition,  writes  of  these  officers  as 
follows:  "The  4th  and  5th  of  August 
were  employed  in  making  arrangements  for 
opening  Wood  creek  (which  the  enemy, 
with  the  indefatigable  labor  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men,  for  fourteen  days,  had 
most  effectually  choked  up)  and  the  making 
a  temporary  road  from  Pine  Ridges  upon 
Fish  creek,  sixteen  miles  from  the  fort, 
for  a  present  supply  of  provision  and  the 
transport  of  our  artillery.  The  first  was 
effected  by  the  diligence  and  zeal  of  Capt. 
Bouville  [Rouville]  *  *  while  Lieutenant 
Lundy,  acting  as  assistant  quartermaster, 
had  rendered  the  road  in  the  worst  of 
weather,  sufficiently  practicable  to  pass 
the  whole  artillery  and  stores,  with  seven 


94  Johnson's  Ordefly  Book. 


to  embark  at  2  o'clock  this  afternoon  to  proceed 
in  the  Following  order.1 

Royal  artillery.  Six  Companys  of  the  Kings 
R.  R.  of  N.  Y.  Capt  Rouvill's  Company  of 
Canadians,  Lieut  Col's  Company.  The  officers 
commanding  companys  not  to  allow  their  boats 
to  fall  back  or  put  ashore  without  orders  or  a  sig- 
nal for  that  purpose1. 


days  provision,  in  two  days.  *  *  *  It  was 
found  that  our  cannon  had  not  the  least 
effect  upon  the  sod-work  of  the  Fort 
[Stanwix],  and  that  our  royals  [cohorns] 
had  only  the  power  of  teazing,  as  a  six- 
inch  plank  was  a  sufficient  security  for 
their  powder  magazine,  as  we  learned 
from  deserters.  At  this  time,  Lieutenant 
Glenie  of  the  artillery,  whom  I  appointed 
to  act  as  assistant  engineer,  proposed  a 
conversion  of  the  royals  (if  I  may  use 
the  expression)  into  howitzers.  The  in- 
genuity and  feasibility  of  this  measure 
striking  me  very  strongly,  the  business 
was  set  about  immediately  and  soon  exe- 
cuted, when  it  was  found  that  nothing 
prevented  their  operating  with  the  desired 
effect  but  the  distance,  their  chambers 


being  too  small  to  hold  a  sufficiency  of 
powder." 

1  There  is  a  rapid  in  Oswego  and 
within  one  mile  of  the  lake,  and  several 
others  between  that  city  and  Oswego 
Falls;  while,  as  mentioned  in  the  last  note 
but  one,  there  was  a  carrying  place 
around  the  falls  of  at  least  a  mile.  It 
will  thus  readily  be  seen  how  three  days 
could  have  been  spent  by  St.  Leger  in 
getting  around  the  falls  and  ready  for  a 
start  for  Fort  Stanwix  on  the  3istof  July, 
at  2  o'clock,  p.  M. 

a  On  the  inside  of  the  cover  of  the 
Ordeily  Book  is  the  following  entry : 
"  Nicholas  Hillyer  Sergt  enters  the  Col's 
Company  loth  of  April,  1777,  then  can- 
toned at  Lachine." 


END  OF  THE  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book.  95 

In  order  that  this  interesting  document  may 
be  brought  down  to  the  latest  date  attainable,  I 
append  here,  in  the  text,  as  a  fitting  ending,  the 
last  official  paper  of  this  expedition  on  the  English 
side,  as  far  as  known.  It  was,  as  will  be  seen, 
written  by  St.  Leger  but  a  few  hours  previous  to 
his  appearance  before  the  walls  of  Fort  Stanwix ; 
his  advance,  meanwhile,  having  arrived  under  the 
walls  of  that  fort  on  the  evening  of  the  day  on 
which  the  letter  was  written.  The  letter  is  ad- 
dressed to  Lieutenant  Bird  of  the  8th  Regiment, 
who  had,  on  the  3ist  of  July,  been  sent  by  St. 
Leger  in  advance  with  some  sixty  of  his  men  and 
a  few  Indians. 

GENERAL  ST.  LEGER  TO  LIEUTENANT  BIRD. 

"Nine  Mile  Point,  August  2d,  1777. 
SIR:  I  this  instant  received  your  letter,  contain- 
ing the  account  of  your  operations  since  you  were 
detached,  which  I  with  great  pleasure  tell  you 
have  been  sensible  and  spirited ;  your  resolution 
of  investing  Fort  Stanwix  is  perfectly  right ;  and 
to  enable  you  to  do  it  with  greater  effect,  I  have 
detached  Joseph  [Thayendanegea]  and  his  corps 
of  Indians  to  re-inforce  you.  You  will  observe 
that  I  will  have  nothing  but  an  investiture  made; 


96  Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


and  in  case  the  enemy,  observing  the  discretion 
and  judgment  with  which  it  is  made,  should  offer 
to  capitulate,  you  are  to  tell  them  that  you  are 
sure  I  am  well  disposed  to  listen  to  them  ;  this  is 
not  to  take  any  honor  out  of  a  young  soldier's 
hands,  but  by  the  presence  of  the  troops  to  pre- 
vent the  barbarity  and  carnage  which  will  ever 
obtain  where  Indians  make  so  superior  a  part  of 
a  detachment ;  I  shall  move  from  hence  at  eleven 
o'clock,  and  be  early  in  the  afternoon  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  creek  [Wood  creek]. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  most  obt.  and  humble  Ser't 

BARRY  ST.  LEGER. 

Lieut.  Bird,  %th  Reg't."1 


1  Before  closing  this  subject,  it  may  be 
well,  especially  as  Willett's  Narrative,  as 
stated  in  the  Introduction,  has  become 
very  rare  and  difficult  to  procure,  to  give 
the  result  of  the  expedition  of  St.  Leger 
against  Fort  Stanwix  in  Col.  Willett's 
own  words.  "  Shortly  after  this  [i.  e., 
the  capture  of  Capt.  Butler,]  the  news  of 
the  approach  of  General  Arnold,  to  relieve 
the  fort,  having  reached  the  enemy,  the 
Indians  being  already  extremely  disaffected, 
in  consequence  of  the  ill  success  of  the 
siege,  and  Colonel  St.  Leger,  finding  that 
the  mulish  obstinacy,  as  he  termed  it  in 
a  letter  written  to  General  Burgoyne,  of 
the  garrison,  could  not  readily  be  over- 
come, on  the  22d  of  August,  the  siege 
was  suddenly  abandoned  after  it  had 
been  carried  on  twenty  days.  Throughout 
the  whole  of  the  siege,  Colonel  St.  Leger, 
certainly,  made  every  effort  in  his  power 
to  render  it  successful.  Having  sent  after 
Colonel  Willett's  departure,  to  Colonel 
Gansevoort  a  written  summons  to  sur- 
render, which  he  found  as  unavailing  as 
his  message  to  Major  Ancrum,  he  com- 
menced approaching  by  sap,  and  had 


formed  two  parallels,  the  second  of  which 
brought  him  near  the  edge  of  the  glacis, 
but  the  fire  of  the  musketry  from  the 
covert  way,  rendered  his  further  progress 
very  difficult;  besides,  his  ordinance  was 
not  sufficiently  heavy  to  make  any  im- 
pression from  the  battery  which  he  had 
erected.  The  only  way  in  which  he 
could  annoy  the  garrison,  was  with  his 
shells,  and  this  was  so  trifling,  as  to  afford 
him  but  a  poor  prospect  of  success.  It 
appears,  that  he  made  large  calculations 
upon  intimidating  the  garrison  with 
threats ;  and,  perhaps,  his  expectations 
were  the  more  sanguine,  as  Ticonderoga 
had  been  but  a  little  time  before  aban- 
doned, upon  the  approach  of  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne. 

The  unexpected  and  hasty  retreat  of 
Col.  St.  Leger,  and  his  host  of  In- 
dians, accompanied  by  Sir  John  John- 
son, whose  influence  among  the  settlers 
along  the  Mohawk  river,  it  was  sup- 
posed, would  procure  considerable  rein- 
forcements, defeated  all  the  calculations 
that  had  been  made  in  the  event  of  the 
success  of  St.  Leger,  which  was  hardly 


yohnson's  Orderly  Book.  97 


doubted.  Great  indeed  was  the  disappoint- 
ment and  mortification,  when,  instead 
of  Colonel  St.  Leger  taking  the  fort,  and, 
by  this  means  obtaining  possession  of  the 
Mohawk  country,  as  well  as  effecting  a 
juncture  with  General  Burgoyne,  he  was 
obliged  to  retreat,  wholly  baffled  in  all  his 
designs."  Indeed,  so  great  was  the  panic 
of  the  besiegers  and  such  the  precipitancy 
of  their  flight,  that  St.  Leger  left  his 
bombardier  asleep  in  the  bomb-battery. 
They  also  left  their  tents  standing,  their 
provisions,  artillery  ammunition,  their 
entire  camp-equipage  and  large  quantities 
of  other  articles  enhancing  the  value  of 
the  booty.  In  very  truth,  the  king's 
troops  had  themselves  become  that  very 
"  Rabble  "  by  which  term  St.  Leger  in 
his  orders,  had  so  pompously  designated 
the  Americans  ! 

Upon  the  raising  of  the  siege  of  Fort 
Schuyler,  or  Fort  Stanwix,  as  the  public 
always  preferred  calling  it,  St.  Leger 
hastened  with  his  scattered  forces  back  to 
Oswego,  and  thence  to  Montreal.  From 
that  post  he  proceeded  to  Lake  Champlain, 
passing  up  the  same  to  Ticonderoga  for 
the  purpose  of  joining  the  army  of  Bur- 
goyne. While  neither  himself  nor  Sir 
John  carried  this  intention  out,  some  of 
their  officers  did,  as  has  been  seen  in  a 
preceding  note.  It  is,  however,  very 
certain  that  St.  Leger  fully  intended  to 
join  Burgoyne.  Thus  Gen.  Burgoyne,  in 
a  secret  and  confidential  letter  to  Gen. 
Riedesel  under  date  of  Sept.  10,  1777, 
writes  as  follows  :  "  *  *  I  have,  my  dear 
general,  to  intrust  a  little  matter  to  your 
care  during  your  stay  at  Fort  Edward. 
I  desire  to  have  two  batteaux,  with  their 
oars,  buried  as  quietly  as  possible.  It 
would  also,  be  well  to  shovel  earth  upon 
them  ;  and  to  give  them  still  more  the 
appearance  of  graves,  a  cross  might  be 
placed  upon  each  hillock.  All  this  must 
be  done  in  the  night,  and  only  by  trust- 
worthy soldiers.  The  teamsters  cannot 
be  relied  on.  The  use  for  which  these 
batteaux  are  intended,  is  to  help  Lieut. 
Col.  St.  Leger  in  crossing  the  river,  in 
case  of  circumstances  forcing  him  to 

13 


march  without  his  ships.  This  officer 
has  been  forced  by  the  bad  conduct  of 
the  Indians,  to  retreat  on  the  road  to 
Oswego.  He  has  however,  accom- 
plished this  without  loss,  and  is  now 
on  his  march  to  the  army.  I  have  sent 
him  orders  as  to  the  necessary  measures 
of  precaution  he  is  to  take  upon  arriving 
on  the  island  at  the  lower  end  of  Lake 
George.  If  he  finds  that  the  enemy 
are  not  in  the  vicinity  of  the  road 
leading  to  the  army,  and  he  can  keep 
the  march  of  twenty- four  men  a  secret, 
he  is  to  cross  the  river  near  Fort  Edward, 
at  the  same  time  notifying  me  in  advance 
of  his  movement,  that  I  may  be  able  to 
facilitate  it  from  my  side.  1  have  told 
him  where  he  will  find  the  batteaux,  viz. 
inside  of  Fort  Edward.  I  had  given 
orders  to  Brigadier  General  Powell  to 
have  your  reserve  cross  at  the  same  time 
with  Colonel  St.  Leger,  and  to  leave 
those  only  behind  that  belong  to  the 
regiment  of  Prince  Frederick." 

The  sequel  to  this  burying  of  the 
batteaux  is  thus  told  by  Dr.  Gordon.  In 
writing  in  regard  to  the  cutting  off  of  Bur- 
goyne by  Gen.  Stark's  capture  of  Fort 
Edward,  he  says  :  "  The  Americans  who 
had  been  ordered  there  [Fort  Edward] 
made  a  discovery,  which  they  greatly  im- 
proved. Below  the  fort,  close  in  with 
the  river,  they  found  the  appearance  of  a 
grave,  with  an  inscripti  >n  on  a  board  : 

'  Here  lies  the  body  of  Lieutenant ." 

They  were  at  a  loss  what  it  should 
mean.  On  searching,  they  discovered 
three  batteaux  [Riedesel  with  his  usual 
prudence,  had,  it  seemed,  buried  three  in- 
stead of  two]  instead  of  a  body.  These 
the  enemy  had  concealed.  Having  none 
of  their  own,  they,  by  the  help  of  them 
sent  scouting  parties  across  the  river  [the 
Hudson]  which  by  falling  into  a  track  a 
mile  and  a-half  beyond,  discouraged  the 
enemy's  parties  from  attempting  an  escape 
that  way."  Thus,  Burgoyne's  and  Rie- 
desel's  efforts  only  redounded  to  the  aid  of 
their  enemies  !  It  was  undoubtedly  to 
this  action  of  Riedesel  in  burying  the 
batteaux  that  Burgoyne  refers  to  in  his 


Johnson's  Orderly  Book. 


"  State  of  the  Expedition"  when,  in  speak. 
ing  of  the  reason  why,  after  the  action  of 
the  J9th  of  Sept.,  at  Freeman's  faim,  he 
did  not  immediately  retreat,  he  says : 
"The  time  also  entitled  me  to  expect  Lieut. 
Col.  St.  Leger's  corps  would  be  arrived  at 
Ticonderoga ;  and  secret  means  had  been 
long  concerted  to  enable  him  to  make  an 
effort  to  join  me  with  probability  of 
success." 

The  miscarriage  of  St.  Leger's  expedi- 
tion, as  it  has  been  well  epitomised  by  S. 
N.  Dexter  North,  was  due  to  the  miscal- 
culation of  the  home  government  which 
planned  it.  The  force  under  his  com- 
mand was  a  picked  one,  but  altogether 
too  small.  See  Letter  from  Col.  Claus  to 
Secy  Knox,  N.  Y.  Col.  Doc.,  Vol.  vm, 
p.  719.  "There  were  three  good 
reasons,"  continues  Mr.  North,  ."  to  ex- 
cuse and  explain  this  blunder.  First,  St. 
Leger's  advance  was  through  an  unpro- 
tected country  and  against  undisciplined 
forces ;  second,  it  was  expected,  upon  the 


positive  assertion  of  Sir  John  Johnson, 
that  at  every  step  of  his  progress  his  army 
would  be  swelled  by  a  rising  tide  of 
Mohawk  valley  loyalists,  until  it  should 
reach  Albany  an  irresistible  force,  sweep- 
ing all  before  it  and  cutting  off  the  last 
retreat  of  the  army  which  held  the  sources 
of  the  Hudson  against  Burgoyne ;  third, 
the  alliance  of  the  warlike  tribes  of  the 
Six  Nations  was  relied  upon  as  insuring  a 
sufficient  augmentation  of  forces  and  a 
terribly  effective  cooperation."  Each  of 
these  three  expectations  failed  in  turn, 
and  the  brilliant  plan  miserably  miscarried. 
In  short,  as  Sir  Henry  Clinton  pithily 
remarks  of  the  expedition  of  St.  Leger  : 
"  If  Burgoyne  meant  to  have  established 
himself  in  Albany,  and  was  sure  he  could 
be  subsisted  there,  perhaps  he  had  better 
have  made  this  [i.  e.,  St.  Leger's  Expedi- 
tion] his  principal  attack;  this  failed  from 
inadequacy  of  numbers  and  want  of 
common  calibre."1 


i  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  MS.  notes  to  Stedman's  "  History  of  the  American  War,"  in  the  Library 
of  the  late  John  Carter  Brown,  of  Providence,  R.  I. 


END. 


APPENDIX. 

NO.  I. 
REV.  MARINUS  WILLETT. 

THE  REV.  MARINUS  WILLETT  was  born  in  October,  1826, 
and  died  on  the  23d  of  February,  1881.  His  father  was  a 
physician  in  New  York  city.  In  his  younger  days,  Mr. 
Willett  shipped  before  the  mast  for  a  trip  to  China,  and  be- 
came a  great  favorite  with  all  on  board.  Returning  to  New 
York,  he  was  made  fourth  officer  of  the  ill-fated  steamship 
Arctic,  commanded  by  Capt.  Luce,  and  only  left  her  as  she 
started  on  her  last  voyage  in  which  she  was  lost.  Shortly 
after,  he  received  the  appointment  of  third  officer  in  the  packet  - 
ship  Ashburton  ;  but  his  mother  dying  about  this  time,  he  gave 
up  the  sea  as  a  vocation,  choosing  in  its  place  the  profession  of 
the  ministry.  He  studied  first  at  Columbia  College;  then  at 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania  ;  and  finally  graduated  at 
Williams.  He  prepared  for  the  ministry  at  the  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  in  New  York  city  ;  and  after  his  ordination  be- 
came pastor  in  succession  of  several  Presbyterian  churches, 
among  them  the  one  at  Black  Rock,  Conn.,  and  another  at 
Washington  Heights,  N.  Y.  About  ten  years  before  his 
death,  he  was  appointed  chaplain  of  Ward's,  Hart's  and  Ran- 
dall's Islands,  by  Commissioner  Bowen.  He  was  devoted  to 
his  work  and  found  particular  happiness  in  administering  spirit- 


ioo  Appendix. 

ual  comfort  to  poor  patients.  He  left,  as  a  rich  heritage  to 
his  children,  an  official  record  not  often  equalled  for  success 
and  devotion  to  the  suffering.  Indeed,  it  was  this  very  self- 
sacrificing  spirit,  which  was  the  primary  cause  of  his  death. 
Notwithstanding  he  had  been  in  ill  health  for  some  nine  months 
previous  to  his  decease,  and  had  been  urged  not  to  attempt  to 
perform  his  labors  as  chaplain,  at  least  until  the  weather  be- 
came milder  and  more  settled,  he  persisted,  in  the  face  of  wind 
and  storm,  in  crossing  the  East  River  in  an  open  boat  nearly 
every  day  in  the  week,  to  visit  the  Islands,  and  always  on  Sun- 
days to  hold  service.  Indeed,  the  officials  and  physicians  of  the 
different  institutions  on  the  three  Islands,  speak  of  Mr.  Willett 
in  terms  of  unqualified  praise,  as  a  Christian  minister  who 
seemed  to  live  only  to  better  his  fellow-men.  Mr.  Willett  was, 
for  many  years,  a  member,  and  later,  the  secretary,  of  the 
society  of  the  Cincinnati,  of  which  his  grandfather  (after  whom 
he  was  named)  was  one  of  the  original  members.  He  was 
also  a  member  of  the  St.  Nicholas  society.  He  left  a  widow, 
a  daughter,  and  two  sons,  one  of  whom,  at  the  time  of  his 
father's  death,  was  a  purser  of  a  ship  then  cruising  in  the 
Indian  Ocean.  He  was  buried  on  the  26th  of  February,  from 
the  South  Dutch  church,  corner  of  Fifth  Avenue  and  Twenty- 
First  Street,  New  York,  Dr.  Howard  Crosby  conducting  the 
services  which  were  unusually  impressive. 


Appendix.  101 

NO.  II. 
GEN.  MARINUS  WILLETT. 

MARINUS  WILLETT,  the  author  of  Willetfs  Narrative^  was 
born  at  Jamaica,  Long  Island,  July  3ist,  (O.  S.),  1740.  He 
was  the  youngest  of  six  sons  of  Edward  Willett,  a  Queen's 
county  farmer,  and  of  excellent  family  —  a  younger  branch, 
indeed,  of  that  of  Judge  Thomas  Jones,  so  well  known  as  the 
author  of  the  History  of  New  York  during  the  Revolutionary 
/Far,  recently  edited  by  Edward  F.  de  Lancey,  and  published 
under  the  auspices  of  the  N.  Y.  His.  Soc.  Owing  to  his  family 
becoming  much  reduced  in  its  circumstances,  young  Willett 
came  to  New  York  city  and  served  for  a  time  as  a  constable, 
which,  in  those  days,  was  a  position  fully  as  dignified  as  that 
of  sheriff  is  now.  He  early  became  imbued  with  a  military 
spirit,  and  joined  the  army  under  Abercrombie  as  a  lieutenant 
in  Col.  de  Lancey's  regiment  in  1758.  He  was  in  the  disas- 
trous battle  at  Ticonderoga,  and  accompanied  Bradstreet  against 
Fort  Frontenac.  Exposure  in  the  wilderness  injured  his  health, 
and  he  was  laid  up  by  sickness  at  Fort  Stanwix  until  the  end  of 
the  campaign.  Willett  espoused  the  cause  of  the  colonies 
when  the  troubles  with  the  mother  country  first  began. 
When  the  British  troops  in  the  New  York  garrison  were 
ordered  to  Boston  after  the  fight  at  Lexington,  they  attempted, 
in  addition  to  their  own,  to  carry  off  a  large  quantity  of  spare 
arms.  Willett,  learning  of  this,  resolved  to  prevent  it ;  and, 
though  opposed  by  the  mayor  and  other  Tories,  he  captured 
the  baggage-wagons  containing  them  and  brought  them  back 
to  the  city.  These  arms  were  afterward  used  by  the  first 
regiment  raised  by  the  state  of  New  York.  For  this  success- 


IO2  Appendix. 

ful  attempt  to  baffle  the  British,  he  drew  down  on  htm  the 
bitter  hatred  of  all  who  were  opposed  to  colonial  independence  ; 
and  hence  it  is  a  matter  of  no  surprise  when,  in  speaking  of  him 
in  his  Tory  History  of  New  York,  Judge  Jones  says  "  he 
became  a  principal  leader  in  all  mobs  in  New  York  prior  to 
the  actual  commencement  of  the  rebellion."  He  was  appointed 
second  captain  of  a  company  in  Col.  Me  Dougall's  regiment 
and  accompanied  Montgomery  in  his  Northern  expedition 
against  Quebec.  He  was  placed  in  command  of  St.  John's,  and 
held  that  post  until  January,  1776.  In  the  same  year,  he  was 
appointed  lieutenant  colonel;  and,  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign 
of  1777,  was  placed  in  command  of  Fort  Constitution  on  the 
Hudson.  In  May  of  this  year,  he  was  ordered  to  Fort 
.Stanwix,  where  he  performed  signal  service,  as  mentioned  in 
the  Introduction  ;  and  for  which  he  was  voted  a  sword  by 
congress.  This  vote  of  congress,  unlike  the  playful  amusement 
in  which  that  body  has,  until  lately,  seemed  inclined  to  indulge, 
viz  :  of  voting  monuments  to  Herkimer,  Steuben,  Pulaski,  and 
others,  and  allowing  its  action  to  end  in  a  vote  merely,  was, 
we  are  glad  to  state,  carried  out  ;  and  the  sword  was  sent  direct 
to  Col.  Willett  by  John  Hancock.  This  sword,  which  is 
owned  by  the  widow  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Willett,  has  for 
several  months  past  been  in  the  careful  keeping  of  a  jeweller 
on  William  street  near  the  New  York  Custom  House.  After  the 
retreat  of  St.  Leger  and  Johnson,  Willett  was  left  in  command 
of  Fort  Stanwix,  and  remained  there  until  the  summer  of  1778, 
when  he  joined  the  army  under  Washington,  arriving  in  time 
to  participate  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth.  He  accompanied 
Sullivan  in  his  campaign  against  the  Senecas  in  1779,  and  was 
actively  engaged  in  the  Mohawk  valley  in  1780,  1781  and 


Appendix.  103 

1782.  In  1783,  he  was  for  a  little  time  in  command  of  the 
northern  portion  of  New  York  state,  having  his  head-quarters 
at  Albany.  A  MS.  letter,  now  before  me,  from  Willett  to 
Washington,  dated  "Albany,  3Oth  Jan.,  1783,"  and  signed 
"  M.  Willett,  Col.  Commanding,"  bears  on  its  back  the  follow- 
ing endorsement  also  in  his  handwriting. 

"  Permit  the  bearer  Thomas  Clump  (express  rider)  to  pass  to 
head-quarters  at  New  Burgh.  Should  any  accident  happen  to 
his  horse  or  himself,  all  magistrates  and  other  friends  are  humbly 
requested  to  afford  him  such  assistance  as  he  may  stand  in  need 
of,  in  order  that  his  dispatches  may  not  be  delayed.  And  any 
necessary  expenses  which  may  accrue  on  this  account,  I  promise 

to  settle. 

M.   WILLETT, 

Col.  Commanding," 

In  1792,  he  was  sent  by  Washington  to  treat  with  the  Creek 
Indians  at  the  south  ;  and  the  same  year  he  was  appointed  a 
brigadier  general  in  the  army  intended  to  act  against  the  north- 
western tribes.  This  appointment,  however,  he  declined,  as 
he  was  conscientiously  opposed  to  the  expedition.  He  was  for 
some  time  sheriff  of  New  York  city,  and  was  elected  its  mayor 
in  1807.  He  was  also  chosen  one  of  the  electors  of  president 
and  vice-president  in  1824,  and  was  made  president  of  the 
Electoral  College.  He  died  in  New  York  city  at  "  Cedar 
Grove  "  (as  his  residence  in  Broome  s'treet  was  called),  full  of 
years  and  honors,  Sunday  evening,  Aug.  23d,  1830,  the  an- 
niversary of  his  battle  with  Major  Ross  and  Walter  Butler,  in 
the  gist  year  of  his  age.  The  funeral  of  Col.  Willett  took 
place  on  Tuesday,  the  24th  of  August.  The  coffin  was  con- 
veyed into  the  garden  in  the  rear  of  his  dwelling,  under  an 


1 04.  Appendix. 

arbor,  which  in  life  had  been  his  favorite  resort ;  a  gate  was 
thrown  open  in  the  rear,  so  that  the  number  of  visitors  who 
were  anxious  to  view  his  remains  might  pass  through  without 
confusion.  It  was  estimated  that  not  less  than  ten  thousand 
persons  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity.  The  procession 
formed  at  his  residence,  the  pall-bearers  being  Col.  Troup, 
Col.  Fish,  Col.  Trumbull,  Col.  A.  Ogden,  Major  General 
Morton,  Major  Fairlie,  J.  Pintard,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Dominick. 
The  bier  was  attended  by  the  members  of  the  Cincinnati 
society,  the  members  of  the  court  of  errors,  the  members  of  the 
common  council,  the  judges  of  the  different  courts,  together 
with  an  immense  concourse  of  citizens  in  carriages  and  on  foot, 
accompanied  by  a  troop  of  horse  and  a  corps  of  New  York  state 
artillery.  The  procession  moved  to  Trinity  church  ;  and  the 
remains,  after  services  conducted  by  Rev.  Dr.  De  Witt,  were 
deposited  in  Trinity  church-yard.  During  the  afternoon  ninety 
minute-guns  were  fired  on  the  battery,  and  volleys  of  musquetery 
over  the  grave.  I  am  informed  by  an  old  and  highly  esteemed 
resident  of  New  York,  who  at  that  time  lived  near  Col. 
Willett  in  Broome  street,  that  the  funeral  procession,  car- 
riages included,  extended  nearly  the  entire  distance  from 
Broome  street  to  Trinity  church.  Indeed,  in  view  of  these 
public  and  private  manifestations  of  grief  which,  on  his  decease, 
so  spontaneously  gushed  forth,  it  is  a  little  surprising  that  the 
accomplished  and  genial  editor  of  Jones's  History  of  New  York, 
in  alluding  to  Willett's  death,  could  find  nothing  more  to  say 
about  him  than  that  "  his  latter  life,  after  the  war  was  a  very 
respectable  one."  The  following  notice  appeared  in  the  New  York 
Commercial  Advertiser,  at  that  time  edited  by  my  father,  Col. 
William  L.  Stone,  who  was  Col.  Willett's  warm  friend.  "  The 


Appendix.  1 05 

coffin  of  Col.  Willett  was  made  of  pieces  of  wood,  collected  by 
himself,  many  of  them  from  different  revolutionary  battle  fields. 
The  corpse,  in  compliance  with  the  written  request  of  the  de- 
ceased, was  habited  in  a  complete  suit  of  citizen's  apparel,  in- 
cluding an  old  fashioned  three-cornered  hat,  which  had  been 
presented  for  that  purpose."  In  the  personal  character  of  Col. 
Willett,  as  has  been  justly  remarked,  "  there  were  traits  of 
chivalry  and  daring,  so  fearless  and  ardent,  that  in  another  age, 
he  would  have  commanded  the  deepest  and  greatest  admiration." 
Virtue,  philanthropy  and  patriotism  guided  every  step,  and 
adorned  every  act  of  his  eventful  and  public  life  ;  while  in  his 
private  life  he  was  distinguished  for  integrity,  frankness  and 
decision  of  character.  Perhaps,  however,  the  highest  compli- 
ment that  can  be  paid  Col.  Willett  is,  that  in  Judge  Jones's 
History  of  New  York,  in  which  that  gentleman  assails  with 
violence  nearly  all  the  actors  in  the  events  he  describes,  the 
worst  he  can  say  of  him,  after  admitting  that  he  was  possessed 
of  courage,  is  the  remark  quoted  above  regarding  his  being  a 
principal  leader  of  revolutionary  mobs  ! 

A  son  of  Col.  Willett  is  yet  (1882)  living  near  me  on  Jersey 
City  Heights,  N.  J.  He  is  still  remarkably  hale  and  hearty  and  in 
the  full  enjoyment  of  his  physical  and  mental  powers.  He,  it 
was,  who,  as  a  labor  of  filial  piety,  edited  and  published  his 
father's  Narrative.  In  a  recent  conversation  with  him  he  said 
that  the  engraving  which  forms  the  frontispiece  of  that  work  is 
a  most  miserable  likeness  of  his  father,  in  proof  of  which  he 
showed  me  an  exquisite  sketch  (in  crayon)  of  the  colonel,  which 
certainly  differs  greatly  from  the  engraving  in  the  Narrative. 
Mr.  Willett  also  informed  me  that  until  lately  (when  they  were 
stolen  from  him)  he  had  in  his  possession  some  six  original 
14 


io6  Appendix. 


autograph  letters  from  Washington  to  his  father,  two  of  whicn 
were  couched  in  terms  of  warm  commendation  to  Col.  Willett 
for  his  successful  sortie  from  Fort  Stanwix.  Mr.  Willett  has 
long  been  favorably  known  as  the  author  of  works  of  a  religious 
cast,  he  having  written,  among  other  books,  The  Life  of  Summer- 
field,  The  Life  of  the  Messiah,  The  Restitution  of  all  Things,  etc. 
To  see  and  converse,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1882,  with  the 
son  of  an  Indian  fighter  of  the  old  French  war,and  a  distinguished 
soldier  of  the  Revolution,  not  only  is  a  very  great  privilege,  but 
brings  the  early  colonial  days  vividly  before  the  mind,  making 
the  m  indeed  seem  as  of  yesterday.1 

1  In  this  connection  one  cannot  but  recall  another  similar  instance  of  a  man  who 
died  but  recently  (1880).  His  name  was  Ransom  Cook,  of  Saratoga  Springs,  whose 
father-in-law  was  Robert  Ayers,  the  person  who  conveyed  to  Jane  McCrea  the  message 
of  her  lover  David  Jones.  Mr.  Cook,  who  had  become  greatly  distinguished  by  his 
many  mechanical  and  scientific  inventions,  was,  in  many  respects,  a  remarkable  man, 
fully  alive  not  only  to  the  present,  but  to  the  past ;  and  when  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  1880,  we  talked  with  him  whose  wife  was  the  daughter  of  one  who  knew 
Jane  McCrea  intimately,  past  events  no  longer  seemed  dim  and  shadowy  but  actual 
realities ! 


Appendix.  107 

NO.  ill. 

ORISKANY  FROM  A  BRITISH  STANDPOINT. 

Before  going  to  press,  I  submitted  my  manuscript  to  a  friend 
for  whose  judgment  I  have  a  profound  respect,  with  the  request 
that  he  would  make  any  suggestions  which  might  occur  to  him. 
He  promptly  responded  by  giving  me  several  valuable  hints, 
and  among  others  the  following  :  "In  your  Introduction  you 
should  give  the  other  side  of  the  story,  as  well  as  Willett's  ac- 
count of  how  he  came  by  the  Orderly  Book.  Johnson  was 
with  his  regiment  fighting  when  the  sortie  was  made.  Willett's 
story  was  not  true.  However,  print  it  as  you  propose,  but 
also  print  a  part  of  the  note  of  the  editor  of  Jones's 
History  of  New  York  during  the  Revolution,  which  is  No. 
LXIII.  p.  701,  Vol.  I.  Jones's  text  shows  that  Sir  John 
suggested  or  rather  proposed  the  plan  to  St.  Leger,  the  result 
of  which  was  the  defeat  of  Oriskany.  This  fact  you  might 
also  mention.  " 

Before  asking  my  friend's  opinion,  I  had  already  endeavored 
(and  I  think  successfully,  see  note  on  page  13)  to  reconcile 
the  apparent  discrepancy  between  Willett's  and  Jones's  accounts, 
by  showing  how  it  might  easily  have  happened  that  Sir  John 
was  not  only  in  the  attack  on  Herkimer,  but  also  in  the  camp 
at  the  time  of  Willett's  sortie.  Nevertheless,  in  justice  to  the 
other  side,  I  herewith  give  the  note  of  the  editor  in  Jones's 
History,  above  referred  to,  first  preceding  it  with  Jones's  account 
of  the  action  at  Oriskany  in  his  text. 

Extract  from  Jones's  History,  p.  216,  Vol.  L 
"Hercheimer  got  intelligence  of  the  situation  of  the  garrison 


io8  Appendix. 

[at  Fort  Stanwix]  and  determined  to  raise  the  siege  if  possible, 
if  not,  at  least  to  throw  in  reinforcements,  with  large  supplies 
of  every  kind  of  provisions  and  stores.  To  effect  this,  he 
collected  a  body  of  about  1,000  militia,  in  which  every  person 
of  note  in  the  country,  who  were  in  the  interest  of  congress, 
served  either  as  officers  or  volunteers.  When  everything  was 
in  readiness,  Hercheimer  marched  for  the  relief  of  the  fort, 
having  under  his  escort  about  400  wagons  loaded  with  stores 
and  provisions  of  every  kind.  St.  Leger  had  soon  information 
of  these  proceedings  ;  Sir  'John  Johnson  proposed  meeting 
them  in  the  woods,  lying  in  ambush  and  taking  them  by  sur- 
prise. This  being  agreed  to  by  St.  Leger,  Sir  John  proceeded 
with  a  part  of  his  own  corps,  a  few  Canadians,  and  the  Indians, 
the  distance  of  a  few  miles,  and  waited  the  coming  of  the 
enemy.  Spies  were  sent  out,  who  soon  returned  with  an  ac- 
count of  their  approach,  their  distance,  and  their  route.  An 
ambush  was  laid,  and  so  artfully  concealed,  that  the  first  inti- 
mation the  rebels  had  of  an  enemy  being  at  hand,  was  a  heavy 
fire  in  their  rear,  in  their  front,  and  upon  both  flanks.  Numbers 
fell.  A  battle  ensued  in  the  Indian  method  of  fighting.  The 
rebels  behaved  with  resolution,  but  were  totally  defeated. 
Several  of  the  Indians  were  killed,  and  among  them  some  of 
their  Sachems.  The  other  part  of  the  detachment  suffered 
little.  In  the  action  General  Hercheimer  and  almost  every 
leading  man  in  the  rebel  interest  in  the  county  of  Tryon,  were 
killed.  Not  a  man  got  into  the  fort,  and  the  wagons,  pro- 
visions, and  stores  were  all  either  taken  or  destroyed.  " 

Extract  from  the  editor's  note  to  the  above  note,  LXIII,  Vol  I. 
"  St.  Leger's  corps  passed  through  the  Oneida  Lake  on  the 


Appendix.  109 

3151  of  July,  1777  ;  his  van  appeared  before  Fort  Stanwix  on 
the  ad  of  August,  and  the  siege  began  on  the  3d.  *  *  * 

"  Nicholas  Herkimer,  or  Herckheimer,  as  the  name  was  ori- 
ginally spelled,  was  appointed  brigadier  of  the  Tryon  county 
militia,  when  it  was  separated  from  that  of-  Albany  county,  and 
formed  into  a  brigade  by  itself,  by  the  provincial  convention, 
Sept.  5th,  1776,  John  Frey  at  same  time  being  appointed  his 
brigade  major.  An  official  letter  of  the  provincial  convention 
to  the  New  York  delegates  in  congress,  dated  Aug.  I4th,  1777, 
written  by  Robert  R.  Livingston,  says  :  l  We  have  700  militia 
out  in  Tryon  county,  and  the  governor  has  also  ordered  200 
men  to  Scoary  [Schoharie]  where  the  Whigs  are  besieged  by 
Tories  and  Indians.'  The  committee  of  Tryon  county,  on  the 
1 7th  of  July,  unto  the  committee  of  safety,  at  Kingston.  '  Fort 
Schuyler1  fortifications  are  not  yet  finished,  and  the  garrison 
consists  of  but  300  able  men.  General  Schuyler  ordered  200 
men  of  our  militia  for  a  reinforcement,  but  with  all  trouble 
possible,  and  repeated  orders,  no  more  but  about  80  men  could 
be  brought  there.'  In  the  same  letter  they  say  that  the  militia 
were  in  such  a  discouraged  state  that,  the  weak  hearted  (which 
by  this  time  being  the  greatest  number)  are  fully  resolved  and 
declare  openly,  upon  actual  invasion  of  the  enemy,  to  render 
themselves  up  to  their  protection,  if  the  county  be  not  in  time 
succored  with  troops,  and  that  from  neglect  of  such  succors 
more  than  half  of  our  inhabitants  are  resolved  not  to  lift  up 
arms  in  defence  of  this  country.' 

"Col.  Peter  Gansevoort,  with  the  3d  New  York  Continentals, 
took  command  in  April,  1777,  and  began  the  erection  of  the 

1  Fort  Stanwix  just  after  it  was  erected  was  called  "  Fort  Schuyler  "  for  a  short 
time.  The  real  Fort  Schuyler  (old  Fort  Schuyler)  was  on  the  site  of  the  present 
city  of  Utica.  See  preceding  note  to  Fort  Stanwix. 


no  Appendix. 

fort.  On  the  ist  of  August,  he  received  a  reinforcement  of 
about  200  men,  with  several  batteaux  loaded  with  provisions 
and  ammunition,  the  tardy  result  of  Schuyler's  orders,  which 
increased  his  force  to  about  700  men. 

"  Herkimer  on  the  iyth  of  July,  had  issued  a  proclamation 
calling  out  all  the  Tryon  county  militia  from  the  ages  of  16  to 
60,  but  only  succeeded  in  getting  about  700  by  the  5th  of 
August,  when  he  encamped  at  the  confluence  of  the  Oriskany 
creek  with  the  Mohawk.  He  sent  that  night  a  messenger  to 
Gansevoort  asking  him  to  make  a  sortie  when  he  should  appear, 
and  to  notify  the  arrival  of  his  messenger  by  three  guns  in 
succession. 

"  His  officers  and  men  taunting  him  with  cowardice  for  delay- 
ing to  move,  the  next  day  he  ordered  them  to  march  before  the 
signal  was  heard  ;  the  result  was  the  defeat  described  by  the 
author  Helmer,  the  messenger  arrived  at  the  fort  at  i  p.  M.,  at 
2  Gansevoort  sent  out  a  sortie  of  206  men  under  Marinus 
Willett,  who  ransacked  and  plundered  the  slightly  guarded  camp 
of  Johnson,  who  was  engaged  in  the  battle  about  a  mile  from 
the  fort,  and  there  learning  the  defeat  of  Herkimer,  retreated 
back  to  the  fort  with  their  plunder,  which,  in  the  words  of 
Helmer,  c  at  a  reasonable  computation  amounted  at  least  to  one 
thousand  pounds,'  '  not  one  man  being  killed  or  wounded.' 

"  Herkimer,  desperately  wounded  in  the  leg,  bore  himself  nobly 
in  the  action,  was  afterward  removed  to  his  own  home  in  the 
town  of  Danube  on  the  Mohawk,  and  died  there  after  an  ampu- 
tation, on  the  1 6th  of  August,  1777,  and  is  buried  in  the  family 
graveyard  near  the  house. 

"  The  remains  of  Herkimer's  command  retreated  to  old  Fort 
Schuyler  (now  Utica),  carrying  their  wounded,  but  without 


Appendix.  1 1 1 

burying  their  dead,  and  made  no  further  attempt  at  relieving  the 
fort.  Except  the  rear  they  fought  bravely.  l  We  will  not  take 
upon  us  to  tell  of  the  behaviour  of  the  rear.  So  far  we  know 
they  took  to  flight  the  first  firing,'  say  the  committee  of  German 
Flatts  in  a  letter,  informing  the  Albany  committee  of  the  battle 
and  asking  succor. 

"  l  Gentlemen,'  their  letter  concludes,  c  we  pray  you  will  send 
us  succor.  By  the  death  of  most  part  of  our  committee  mem- 
bers, the  field  officers  in  general  being  wounded,  every  thing  is 
out  of  order,  the  people  entirely  dispirited  ;  our  county  at 
Esopus  unrepresented  ;  that  we  cannot  hope  to  stand  it  any 
longer  without  your  aid  ;  we  will  not  mention  the  shocking 
aspect  our  fields  do  show.  Faithful  to  our  country,  we  remain, 
your  sorrowful  brethren,  the  few  members  of  this  committee, 

"  PETER  J.  DAGGART, 

"  Chairman:  " 


112  Appendix. 

NO  IV. 
SIR  DARBY  MONAGHAN. 

The  Duke  of  Rutland1  when  lord  lieutenant  of  Ireland 
frequently  indulged  himself  in  incognito  rambles,  with  a  few 
boon  companions,  through  the  meaner  parts  of  Dublin,  in  the 
course  of  which  he  occasionally  met  with  strange  adventures. 

One  evening,  his  Grace,  Col.  St.  Leger,  and  one  or  two 
others,  having  entered  into  a  public  house  in  the  Liberty, 
they  found  the  landlord  (who  had  served  under  St.  Leger  in 
America)  to  be  so  comical  a  blade,  that  they  invited  him  to  sit 
down  to  supper  with  them.  Darby  Monaghan,  who  knew  his 
Grace  by  sight,  took  good  care  that  the  entertainment  should 
be  such  as  to  give  every  satisfaction  to  his  guests,  and  he  con- 
trived so  to  season  it  with  an  abundant  flow  of  native  wit  and 
drollery,  that  they  were  quite  delighted  with  him.  His  wine 
and  whiskey  punch  were  so  good  that  by  two  in  the  morning 
they  were  all  quite  jolly,  and  ready  to  sally  out  into  the  street,  in 
quest  of  adventures.  This  however,  was  prevented  by  the 
politic  Darby,  who  contrived,  by  the  humor  of  his  songs,  and 
the  waggery  of  his  jests,  to  fascinate  them  to  the  spot,  until  one 
after  another,  they  fell  drunk  under  the -table. 

During  their  libations,  and  after  Darby  had  said  several 
good  things  in  succession,  the  Duke  in  a  fit  of  good  humor, 
and  by  way  of  a  joke,  turned  round  to  him,  and  said,  "  by 
Jove  !  landlord,  you  are  a  glorious  fellow,  and  an  honor  to  your 
country.  What  can  I  do  for  you  my  boy  ?  [Hiccup.]  I'll 

1  Charles  Manners,  fourth  Duke  of  Rutland,  was  the  eldest  son  of  the  General, 
Marquis  of  Granby.  He  succeeded  his  grandfather,  the  third  Duke,  in  1779.  He 
was  very  popular,  and  was  celebrated  for  his  kind  heart  and  his  interest  in  literary 
men.  He  was  appointed  lord  lieutenant  of  Ireland,  February  17,  1784,  and 
continued  in  office  until  his  death  in  1787. — ED. 


Appendix.  113 

knight  you  my  lad  ?  so — [hiccup  again] — down  upon  your 
marrow  bones  this  instant!" — "Your  Grace's  high  commands 
shall  be  obeyed,"  said  Darby  kneeling.  The  Duke  drew  his 
sword,  and  although  Colonel  St.  Leger  endeavored  to  prevent 
his  carrying  the  joke  too  far,  he  struck  him  over  the  shoulder, 
and  uttered  the  ominous  words,  "  Rise  up  Sir  Darby  Mo- 
naghan !"  Darby,  having  humbly  thanked  his  Grace,  and 
sworn  fealty  to  the  King  of  England  in  a  bumper,  an  immense 
bowl  of  punch  was  ordered  in  ;  this  was  filled  and  refilled,  until 
at  length  the  whole  party  became  blind  drunk,  as  before 
stated. 

The  weather  being  warm,  and  the  great  quantity  of  punch 
which  they  had  drunk,  prevented  the  topers  from  feeling  any 
inconvenience  from  the  hardness  of  their  couch,  and  they 
slept  as  soundly  as  they  would  have  done  on  a  down  bed,  either 
at  the  Castle  or  the  lodge.  Darby,  who,  from  long  seasoning, 
was  soon  enabled  to  overcome  the  effects  of  the  whiskey,  rose 
betimes,  and,  having  bustled  about,  soon  prepared  a  com- 
fortable breakfast  of  tea,  coffee  and  chocolate,  for  the  sleeping 
partners  of  his  debauch. 

When  all  was  ready,  not  liking  to  rouse  them  by  shaking  or 
otherwise,  he  stepped  into  the  room  upon  tiptoe  and  gently 
opened  the  window  shutters.  The  sun  shining  in  full  upon 
them,  they  soon  awoke  from  their  slumbers,  wondering  where 
they  were.  The  landlord,  who  was  listening  at  the  door, 
speedily  put  an  end  to  their  suspense,  by  thrusting  in  his  black 
head,  and  nodding  to  hrs  Grace,  assuring  him,  "  that  they  were 
safe  and  sound,  and  not  a  bone  broke,  in  Darby  Monaghan's 
own  comfortable  and  fashionable  hotel ;  also,  that  if  his  Honor's 
Grace  and  the  other  gentlemen  would  just  shake  themselves  a 
15 


H4-  Appendix. 

bit,  and  sluish  their  faces  with  a  little  nice  cold  spring  water, 
they  might  fall  to  without  any  more  delay,  for  there  was  a 
breakfast  fit  for  a  laird  laid  out  for  them  in  the  next  room." 

This  intelligence  was  received  with  much  pleasure  by  the 
party,  who,  having  put  themselves  in  decent  trim,  adjourned  to 
the  breakfast  room,  where  they  found  everything  of  the  best 
laid  out  in  homely  style  ;  but  what  pleased  them  the  most,  was 
Darby's  attention  in  bringing  in  a  bottle  of  whisky  under  one 
arm,  and  one  of  brandy  under  the  other.  Pouring  out  several 
glasses,  he  presented  them  to  each,  according  to  their  choice  ; 
taking  the  blessed  Vargin  to  witness  that  a  glass  of  good  spirits 
was  the  best  maidicine  iver  envinted  for  weakness  of  the  stomach, 
after  straitching  it  with  punch  the  overnight. 

Darby's  courtesy  was  taken  in  good  part  ;  and  after  he  had 
retired,  the  conversation  turned  upon  his  extraordinary  humor. 
At  length  Col.  St.  Leger,  seeming  to  recollect  himself,  said, 
"  I  am  afraid,  my  Lord  Duke,  your  Excellency  made  a  bit  of 
a  blunder  last  night  ;  you  conferred  the  honor  of  knighthood 
on  this  same  landlord." —  u  Did  I,  by  heaven  !  "  exclaimed  his 
Grace.  "  That  you  did,"  replied  the  colonel.  "  Bless  me,  how 
unfortunate  !  why  didn't  you  prevent  me  ?  "  "  I  endeavored 
to  do  so  with  all  my  might,  but  your  Excellency's  arm  was  too 
potent ;  and  I  preferred  seeing  your  weapon  fall  upon  his  shoulder, 
rather  than  have  it  thrust  into  me."  "  What  an  unfortunate 
affair  !  "  exclaimed  the  Duke,  rising  ;  "  but  I  suppose  the  fellow 
doesn't  recollect  the  circumstance  more  than  myself;  let  us  call 
him  in.  I  wouldn't  have  such  a  thing  reported  at  St.  James's 
for  the  world  ;  I  should  be  recalled,  and  be  the  laughing  stock 
of  every  one  at  the  Court.  Zounds  !  to  knight  the  landlord  of 
a  common  punch  house  !  the  thing  is  surely  impossible." 


Appendix.  115 

"  Both  possible  and  true,"  replied  the  Colonel;  "but  let  us 
ring  for  him,  and  see  what  he  himself  says  about  the  matter." 
Darby,  who  was  in  attendance  on  the  outside  of  the  door,  heard 
all  that  passed,  and  resolved  to  resist  every  attempt  to  deprive 
him  of  his  newly  acquired  honors.  On  entering  the  room  the 
following  dialogue  took  place. 

Duke— I  say,  landlord,  we  were  all  quite  jolly  last  night  ? 

Darby — Your  honor's  noble  Grace  may  say  that  same  ; 
we  drank  thirteen  whacking  bowls  of  punch  among  five  of  us. 

Duke — Ah  !  so  we  did,  I  believe — thirteen  to  the  dozen — 
and  you  supped  with  us  ? 

Darby — Many  thanks  to  your  Grace's  Excellency,  Darby 
Monaghan  did  himself  that  same  honor. 

Duke — No  honor  at  all,  my  good  fellow.  But  I  say,  Darby, 
do  you  recollect  any  thing  particular  that  I  did  in  the  way  of 
joke,  you  know  ;  some  foolish  thing,  when  we  were  all  as 
drunk  as  fiddlers  ? 

Darby — Certainly,  your  Dukeship  may  say  that,  any  how. 
I  dare  say  the  colonel  well  remimbers  you  filling  up  the  last 
bowl  from  the  whisky  jug,  instade  of  from  that  containing  the 
hot  water.  By  the  powers  !  I  could  not  stand  that  ;  it  set  me 
off  whizzing  like  a  top,  and  does  not  remember  one  single  thing 
after  we  emptied  it. 

Duke  —  [Laughing]  — Oh,  then  you  don't  remember  my 
drawing  my  sword  and  threatening  to  run  you  through  the  body  ? 

Darby — The  Lord  above  foriver  presarve  yer  Dukeship's 
Highness  from  cru'l  murder  and  sudden  death  all  the  days  of 
yer  life  !  I  don't  remimber  any  such  thing ;  but  I  remimber 
well  the  whack  yer  Excellency's  Royal  Highness  gave  me  with 
that  same  sword  over  my  shoulder,  when  ye  bid  me  "  rise  up, 
Sir  Darby  Monaghan." 


n6  Appendix. 

Duke  — You  do  ?  eh  !  But  that  was  all  in  jest,  you  know 
Darby  ;  and  so  we  must  think  no  more  about  it. 

Darby — Long  life  to  your  Highness  !  but  I  took  it  in  right 
arnest  ;  more  by  token  that  my  shoulder  aches  at  this  moment 
with  the  blow ;  but  I  mustn't  mind  that,  for  it  was  given  upon 
an  honorable  occasion,  and  resaived  with  good  will — so  thanks 
to  yer  Excellency  for  all  the  favors  now  and  hereafter. 

Duke  — But  you  don't  presume  to  suppose,  my  good  fellow, 
that  I  actually  conferred  upon  you  the  honor  of  knighthood  ? 

Darby  — By  the  powers  !  your  Highness,  but  I  do.  Sure  I 
wouldn't  be  after  doing  your  Highness  such  discredit  as  to  think 
ye  meant  to  break  yer  royl  word  to  man  or  mortal. 

Duke  —  Oh  the  devil  !  —  [whispering]  —  I  say  Colonel 
what  is  to  be  done  ? 

Colonel  —  [Whispering)  —  Give  him  some  berth,  and  make 
him  promise  to  say  nothing  about  the  frolic. 

Duke  —  W«ll,  Darby,  I  don't  mean  to  act  scurvily  towards 
you.  I  can  give  you  a  tidewaiter's  place,  or  something  in  the 
excise,  that  will  bring  you  in  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  a  year,  and  make  you  independent  for  life. 

Darby  —  [Kneeling,  and  kissing  the  Duke's  hand]  —  Let 
me  go  on  my  merry  bones  once  again,  to  thank  yer  Royl  High- 
ness for  being  so  good  and  merciful  to  poor  Darby  Monaghan  ! 
He'll  niver  forget  to  remimber  to  pray  for  yer  excellency  to  the 
blessed  saints,  on  Sunday  or  holiday. 

Duke — Well,  then,  Darby,  it  is  settled  that  you  give  up 
the  title,  and  that  nothing  shall  ever  be  said  about  last  night's 
adventure  ? 

Darby  —  Give  up  the  title  !  yer  Grace  ?  and  not  be  called 
Sur  !  after  all  ?  I  thought  the  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  a -year 
was  to  keep  up  my  style  as  a  true  and  loyal  knight. 


Appendix.  117 

Duke —  No,  faith  !  you  sha'n't  have  place  and  title  too,  so 
choose  without  delay. 

Darby  —  [Pausing]  —  Well,  yer  Grace,  if  yer  Excellency 
plaises'  I'd  rather  keep  the  title  ;  for,  d'ye  see,  it  'ill  be  such  a 
wonderment  for  a  punch  house  to  be  kept  by  Sir  Darby 
Monaghan,  that  I'll  soon  have  all  the  custom  of  Dublin  city  ; 
and  that  'ill  be  better  than  a  tidewaither's  place,  any  how. 

Duke  —  [Laughing.] — Well,  then,  what  more  argument 
about  that  matter,  you  shall  have  a  place  of  about  two  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds  a-year,  and  you  must  give  up  your  knighthood 
this  instant. 

Darby  —  [Going  out]  —  Plase  your  Excellency,  then,  I'll 
just  step  up  stairs,  and  ax  hir  Ladyship's  advice  ;  and,  I  dare 
say  she'd  rather  have  the  money.  So  I'll  inform  your  Honor's 
Grace  in  a  twinkling. 

Her  Ladyship  was  accordingly  consulted  on  this  important 
question  ;  and  she  wisely,  and  without  hesitation,  voted  for  the 
income  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  which  they  enjoyed 
for  many  years.  The  title,  too,  stuck  by  them  till  the  last  ;  for 
after  the  Duke's  departure  from  his  vice-royalty,  the  affair  was 
bruited  abroad,  to  the  great  amusement  of  the  middle  and  lower 
orders  in  Dublin,  who  never  failed  to  address  the  fortunate 
couple  by  the  appellations  of  "  Sir  Darby  and  Lady  Monaghan." 

London  Clubs. 


1 1 8  Appenaix . 


NO.  v. 

JANE  WEMPLE   STARIN'. 

One  of  the  sufferers  by  St.  Leger's  raid,  was  Jane  Wemple 
Starin,  the  grandmother  of  .Hon.  John  H.  Starin,  ex  M..C., 
from  the  state  of  New  York2.  The  trials  of  this  heroic  and 
patriotic  woman,  if  given  in  detail,  would  fill  many  pages. 
Hon.  John  H.  Starin,  writing  to  the  author  in  regard  to  his 
(Mr.  Starin's)  grandmother,  says  :  "  My  grandmother,  Jane 
Wemple  Starin,  was  of  Dutch  descent,  her  maiden  name 
being  Jane  Wemple.  She  lived  in  the  present  village  of 
Fultonville,  Montgomery  Co.,  N.  Y.,  before  there  was  any 
village  there,  her  house,  indeed,  being  the  only  one.  It  Was 
on  the  south  bank  of  the  Mohawk  river  opposite  Caughnawaga, 
and  was  kept  as  an  inn.  It  was  the  headquarters  of  the 
mail  route  to  the  north  and  west,  which  crossed  the  river  at  this 
point  by  a  ford.  My  grandfather  was  an  Indian  interpreter, 
and  his  brother,  my  great  uncle,  was  the  first  judge  in  that 
part  of  the  State.3  The  inn  also  was  a  kind  of  halting-place 

1  Her  maiden  name  was  Jane  Wemple ;  one  of  the  Wemple  family  who,  together 
-with  the  Fondas,  Vroomans  and  Veeders,  founded,  in  1762,  the  Dutch  church  at 
Caughnawaga,  the  present  village  of  Fonda,  Montgomery  Co.,  N.  Y.  The  original 
•  church  edifice  is,  I  believe,  still  standing. 

a  It  is  probably  due  to  this  fact  that  Mr.  Starin  has  always  shown  such  interest  in 
the  Saratoga  Monument  Association  of  which  he  is  the  president.  Indeed,  it  is 
.solely  to  his  efforts  that  the  trustees  have  been  able  to  begin  the  erection  of  the 
monument  now  completing  at  Schuylerville,  N.  Y. 

3  Hon.  Wm.  J.  Bacon  gives  the  following  account  of  Mr.  Starin's  great  uncle  in 
'his  exceedingly  able  and  instructive  address  on  "The  Early  Bar  of  Oneida,"  de- 
livered in  1875  in  Utica,  N.  Y.  We  quote: 

"The  first  incumbents  of  the  Herkimer  Common  Pleas,  which  then  (1798)  in- 
cluded Oneida  county,  were  three  fair-minded,  intelligent  and  upright  laymen,  viz. 
Henry  Starin,  judge,  and  Jedediah  Sanger  and  Amos  Wetmore,  justices.  Of  the 
ifirst  of  these  men  a  very  graphic,  and,  I  am  inclined  to  think,  a  very  just  sketch,  is 
given  by  our  former  highly  esteemed  townsman,  William  Tracy,  Esq.,  of  New  York, 


Appendix.  119 

for  bands  of  western  Indians  who  were  on  their  way  east 
to  visit  their  Great  Father  at  Washington  ;  and  often  at  night 
the  halls  of  the  inn  would  be  so  thickly  filled  with  sleeping 
red  men  that  my  grandfather  could  hardly  pick  his  way  among 
them.  There  was  also  a  permanent  encampment  of  Mohawks 
just  beyond  the  inn  ;  while  directly  in  its  front,  there  were 
several  eel-wiers  that  the  Indians  had  built  in  the  river,  one  of 
which  still  (1882)  is  plainly  to  be  seen. 

u  My  grandmother,  who  died  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  in  1841, 
at  the  age  of  nearly  85  years,  was  a  very  neat  old  lady  ;  and 
I  well  recall  the  short  gown  (spun  and  woven  by  herself)  that 
she  wore,  and  the  pocket  fastened  by  a  string  around  her 
waist,  and  worn  underneath  the  gown,  which  had  to  be 
pulled  up  whenever  she  wanted  to  reach  her  pocket.  She 
always  carried  in  it  some  tidbit  for  the  boys."  Mrs.  Starin's 
memory  to  the  day  of  her  death  was  remarkably  retentive  ;  and 
on  a  winter's  night,  while  the  flames  went  roaring  up  the 

in  the  two  most  valuable  and  entertaining  lectures  delivered  by  him  in  this  city,  more 
than  thirty  years  ago.  Starin  was  a  plain,  honest  Dutch  farmer,  living  at  German 
Flats,  of  limited  education,  but  with  a  large  stock  of  common  sense  and  sound  judg- 
ment, and,  above  all,  an  incorruptible  integrity.  His  sense  of  the  inviolability  of 
contracts  and  the  duty  of  fulfilling  them,  is  well  illustrated  in  the  amusing  but  well 
authenticated  incident  of  his  refusing  a  discharge  to  an  applicant  for  the  benefit  of 
the  insolvent  act  until  he  had  paid  all  his  debts,  to  be  relieved  from  which,  it  need 
hardly  be  said,  was  the  very  object  and  purpose  of  the  application. 

"The  first  record  we  have  of  any  court  held  within  the  territory  of  what  is  now 
the  County  of  Oneida,  is  in  October,  1793,  when  a  Court  of  Common  Pleas  was 
held  in  a  barn  belonging  to  Judge  Sanger,  in  the  town  of  New  Hartford,  and  over 
this  court  Judge  Starin  presided,  assisted  by  Justices  Sanger  and  Wetmore.  An 
incident  occurred  at  this  session  of  the  court,  which  is  so  amusing  and  illustrative,, 
that  I  venture  to  reproduce  it  substantially  as  it  is  related  by  Tracy,  in  the  lectures 
already  alluded  to.  The  day  was  cold  and  chilly,  and  the  barn  of  course  had  no 
appliances  for  creating  artificial  warmth.  In  the  absence  of  these,  and  with  a  view 
to  keeping  their  faculties  awake,  some  of  the  attending  lawyers  had  induced  the 
sheriff  (an  impulsive  and  obliging  Irishman,  named  Colbraith),  to  procure  a  jug  of 
ardent  spirits,  which  was  quietly  circulated  around  the  bar,  and  from  which  each  one 
decanted  (taking  it  like  oysters  raw  from  the  shell)  the  quantity  that  would  suffice 
to  keep  them  up  to  concert  pitch.  While  this  was  going  on,  the  judges,  who  were 


I2O  Appendix. 

hugh  chimney,  and  the  fire-light  merrily  played  among  the 
flitches  of  bacon  hanging  from  the  smoked  rafters  overhead,  she 
would  recount  to  her  grandchildren  gathered  around,  her 
many  adventures  in  a  newly  settled  country,  and  the  suffer- 
ings endured  by  herself  and  kindred  when  forced  to  fly  on  the 
approach  of  the  savage  hordes  of  St.  Leger. 

Mr.  Starin  comes,  indeed,  of  good  old  revolutionary  stock. 
His  grandfather,  the  Indian  interpreter  mentioned  above,  fought 
throughout  the  war  for  American  Independence,  and  was  one 
of  ten  of  the  Starin  family  who  served  in  the  Continental  army 
directly  under  Washington.  To  Sampson  Sammons,  the  great- 
great-uncle  of  Mr.  Starin,  belongs  the  honor  of  having  had  fired 
at  him  the^rtf  shot  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution  west  of  the 
Hudson  ;  while  his  son,  Jacob  Sammons,  in  attempting  to  erect 

suffering  from  the  cold  without  any  such  adventitious  relief,  consulted  together,  and 
concluded  that  rather  than  freeze  in  their  seats  they  would  adjourn  the  court  until 
the  ensuing  day.  Just  as  they  were  about  to  announce  this  conclusion,  and  to  call 
on  the  sheriff  to  make  the  usual  proclamation,  the  latter  sprang  up  with  the  jug  in 
his  hand,  and  handing  it  up  to  the  Bench,  exclaimed,  '  Oh,  no,  no,  Judge,  don't 
adjourn  yet.  Take  a  little  gin;  that  will  keep  you  warm.  'Taint  time  to  adjourn 
yet.'  Tradition  says  the  court  yielded  to  the  soft  persuasion,  and  in  the  language 
now  common  and  familiar  to  our  ears,  '  smiled,'  and  proceeded  with  the  business 
of  the  court.  What  sort  of  justice  prevailed  during  the  remainder  of  that  day,  the 
historian  of  the  incident  does  not  tell  us,  and  cotemporary  tradition  is  silent  on  the 
subject."  Judge  Bacon,  (who  is  the  best  living  authority  on  the  subject)  also  kindly 
writes  me  the  following  additional  particulars  of  Judge  Starin.  "  Judge  Starin  was 
born  about  eleven  miles  below  the  city  of  Utica,  in  the  county  of  Herkimer,  which 
.then  included  within  its  limits  what  are  now  the  counties  of  Oneida,  Madison, 
-Oswego,  Lewis,  Jefferson  and  St.  Lawrence.  He  was  a  militia  officer  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  Revolution,  and  is  reputed  as  having  been  present  at  the  battle  of 
Oriskany  ;  and  from  that  time  held  the  position  of  colonel  of  the  Tryon  County 
Militia  during  the  remainder  of  the  war.  He  had  not  only  good  common  sense  and 
great  integrity  (as  I  state  in  my  lecture  on  the  Oneida  Bar)  but  unflinching  courage 
and  loyalty  and  many  attempts  were  made  to  capture  him  by  the  enemy,  which,  by 
.his  great  shrewdness  and  presence  of  mind,  he  escaped  ;  but  finally,  on  one  occasion, 
he  was  surprised  by  the  Indians  and  shut  up  in  a  wigwam  overnight,  his  captors  pro- 
posing  to  burn  him  alive  the  next  morning.  But  in  the  dead  of  night  he  escaped 
.through  an  opening,  and  fleeing  swiftly  he  eluded  pursuit  by  taking  to  the  water  and 
following  the  bed,  until  fortunately,  finding  a  canoe  among  the  willows  on  the  bank 
ihe  unloosed  it,  and  moving  down  the  stream,  reached  his  home  safely  by  noon  of 
that  day." 


Appendix.  1 2  i 

a  liberty-pole  at  Caughnawaga  in  1775,  was  struck  down  by  a 
loaded  whip  in  the  hands  of  Col.  Guy  Johnson,  and  returned 
to  his  father's  house  bearing  upon  his  body  the  first  scars  of  the 
Revolutionary  contest  in  the  county  of  Tryon.  See  Stone's  Brant, 
Vol.  I,  pp.  52,  107.  Jacob  Sammon's  grandson,  the  late  Col. 
Simeon  Sammons,  of  Fonda,  N.  Y.,  during  our  late  civil  war, 
equipped,  put  in  marching  order,  and  conducted  to  Harper's 
Ferry,  eleven  hundred  men  in  twen,ty-nine  days.  When  Sam- 
mons reached  Washington  and  was  asked  the  usual  question 
what  he  had  come  for,  instead  of  expressing,  as  many  did,  a  desire 
for  easy  quarters  near  the  capitol,  he  answered  "  to  fight  by 

";  and  as  evidence  of  the  sincerity  of  his  purpose  he  brought 

home  two  bullets  in  his  body.  Again,  at  the  springing  of  a 
mine  in  front  of  Petersburgh,  he  leaped  over  the  parapet  and, 
though  his  foot  was  shattered  by  a  bullet,  caught  the  standard 
and  planted  it  in  triumph  on  the  works  of  the  enemy.  He  was 
also,  we  believe,  engaged  at  Fredericksburgh,  and  was  near 
the  late  Col.  Welcome  B.  Sayles  of  the  7th  R.  I.  Vols.  when 
that  gallant  and  meritorious  officer  fell  (mortally  wounded  by  a 
shell)  while  waving  his  hand  to  encourage  his  men  who  were 
crossing  the  river  on  pontoon  bridges  in  the  face  of  a  galling  fire 
from  the  enemy  stationed  on  the  high  bank  in  their  front1. 

1  Judge  Hienrich  Starin  was  the  author  of  the  celebrated  "  Yankee  Pass,"  the 
story  regarding  which  runs  as  follows ;  The  early  Dutch  of  the  Mohawk  Valley  were 
very  strict  in  keeping  the  Sabbath  ;  and  the  legal  penalties  for  such  infringment 
were  rigorously  enforced.  Now  it  chanced  that  one  Sunday  morning  as  Judge 
Starin  was  going  to  church,  he  met  a  Yankee  peddler  on  horseback  quietly  jogging 
along  on  his  way  east.  Straightway  the  judge  arrested  him,  and  having  received 
from  the  offender  the  customary  fine  of  four  shillings,  was  asked  by  the  latter  if — 
now  that  the  penalty  had  been  pain  — r  he  would  not  give  him  a  pass  to  travel  the 
remainder  of  the  day,  especially  as  he  was  in  a  hurry  to  finish  his  journey,  and  did 
not  wish  to  be  delayed  ?  To  this  seemingly  reasonable  request  the  judge  consented, 
and  requested  the  Yankee  (as  he  had  not  his  glasses  by  him)  to  write  it  out  himself 
and  he  would  sign  it.  This  having  been  done,  the  judge  affixed  his  signature  to  the 
document  and  the  peddler  went  on  his  way.  Some  weeks  afterwards,  the  judge 

16 


122  Addenda. 


ADDENDA. 

NOTES    THAT     SHOULD     HAVE     APPEARED     IN     THEIR     PROPER 
PLACES,  BUT  WERE  ACCIDENTALLY  OMITTED. 

Page  3,  note  2,  add  :  La  Chine  also  derives  an  additional 
and  melancholy  interest  from  the  fact  that  it  was  the  scene  of 
a  most  shocking  massacre  in  the  summer  of  1689,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  incapacity  of  Gov.  Denonville.  During  the 
night  of  the  5th  of  August,  of  that  year,  amid  a  wild  hail  and 
rain  storm,  1,400  Iroquois  warriors  crossed  Lake  St.  Louis, 
and  before  daybreak  had  surrounded  every  house  at  La  Chine 
within  a  radius  of  several  miles.  At  a  given  signal  the  in- 
vaders raising  the  dreadful  warhoop  fell  upon  the  sleeping 
inmates  of  the  little  hamlet,  and  dragged  the  sleepers  from 
their  beds.  Those  houses  that  could  not  be  forced  were  fired 
and  the  terrified  settlers  rushed  forth  to  escape  the  flames,  only 
to  be  stricken  down  by  the  tomahawks  of  the  savage  incendiaries 
stationed  at  the  doors.  Unborn  infants  were  torn  from  their 
mother's  wombs,  and  fathers  were  compelled  to  throw  their 
children  into  the  flames.  Two  hundred  persons  were  literally 

happening  to  be  in  Kane's  store  in  Canajoharie,  was  presented  with  a  sight  note 
of  hand  for  $25,  which  the  storekeeper,  knowmg  it  to  be  first  class  paper,  had  pur- 
chased. Judge  Starin  at  first  was  utterly  astounded,  yet  confessed  that  the  signature 
was  his  and  no  mistake.  Finally,  after  puzzling  his  brains  for  several  minutes  and 
having  had  described  to  him  the  person  who  sold  the  note,  he  suddenly  exclaimed, 

"  Confound  it !  It's  that  d Yankee  Pass  !  "     However,  the  judge,  enjoying  the 

joke,  although  at  his  expense,  cheerfully  took  up  the  note,  but  ever  more  steered  clear 
of  Yankees  —  particularly  those  seeking  passes  on  the  Sabbath  day  ! 

In  1795,  that  amiable  and  philosophical  traveler,  the  Duke  de  la  Rochefoucault 
Liancourt  on  his  way  east  from  Niagara,  tarried  over  night  at  the  inn  kept  by  Judge 
Starin's  brother,  the  Indian  interpreter.  u  The  inn,"  says  the  Duke,  "  was  full  of 
people  indisposed  with  the  ague.  The  whole  neighborhood  was  crowded  with  others 
in  the  same  condition  ;  and  by  his  [Starin's]  account,  numbers  of  travelers  are  daily 
arriving,  who  have  not  escaped  the  influence  of  the  tainted  air,  and  of  the  contagion 
which  prevails  in  the  district  of  the  Genesee." 


Addenda.  123 

roasted  alive ;  others  died  under  prolonged  tortures  ;  while 
many  more  were  carried  away  prisoners  to  be  reserved  for  a 
lingering  and  horrible  death  at  a  future  time.  "  The  fair  island 
upon  which  the  sun  shone  brightly  erewhile,"  says  the  historian 
M.  Garneau,  "  was  lighted  up  by  fires  of  woe  ;  houses,  planta- 
tions and  crops  were  reduced  to  ashes,  while  the  ground  reeked 
with  blood  up  to  a  line  a  short  league  apart  from  Montreal 
city.  The  savages  crossed  to  the  opposite  shore,  the  desola- 
tion behind  thetji  being  complete ;  and  forthwith  the  entire 
parish  of  La  Chine  was  wasted  by  fire,  and  many  of  its  people 
massacred."  The  year  that  this  tragical  incident  took  place, 
has  ever  since  been  known  in  Canadian  annals  as  "  The  year 
of  the  Massacre."  The  massacre  at  Schenectady,  six  months 
later,  was  done  in  reprisal  for  that  of  La  Chine,  which  was  at- 
tributed to  English  instigations.  • 

Page  n,  note  i.  The  following  letter  is  to  be  read  in  connec- 
tion with  the  above  note  : 

"  BRITISH  MUSEUM,  LONDON,  ENG.,  \ 
4.th  September,  1882.  J 

Dear  Sir:  Mr.  Bond  [the  Hbrarian-in -chief ]  is  on  vacation, 
but  I  have  lost  no  time  in  having  a  search  made,  both  in  the 
department  of  MSS.,  and  that  of  Printed  Books  for  the  infor- 
mation you  desire. 

Mr.  Scott,  of  the  department  of  MSS.,  reports  that  the  in- 
formation has  been  already  sought  for  in  vain ;  and  that  fresh 
researches  prove  equally  fruitless.  Mr.  Bullen,  keeper  of  the 
department  of  Printed  Books,  has  caused  the  "  London 
Gazette  "  and  the  "  Gentleman's  Magazine  "  to  be  consulted 
for  the  particulars,  but  without  satisfactory  result. 
I  am, 

Dear  Sir, 

Yours  faithfully, 

T.  NICHOLS, 
MR.  WILLIAM  L    STONE.  Assistant  Secretary." 


124  Addenda. 

Page  13,  add  to  the  note  on  Lieut.  George  Singleton,  the 
following :  Lieut.  Singleton  was  sent  by  Col.  Willett  to 
Schenectady,  where  he  remained  many  months  upon  parole, 
but  when  sufficiently  recovered,  he  broke  that  and  ran  off  with 
some  Tories. — Sonney's  Historical  Gleanings. 

Page  20,  note  i,  add  :  Although  I  give  in  my  Burgoyne's 
Campaign,  a  sketch  of  Gen.  Fraser,  I  omitted  a  well  authenti- 
cated anecdote  of  him,  which  should  be  preserved,  as  showing 
one  of  that  officer's  many  noble  and  admirable  qualities.  The 
anecdote  is  thus  told  by  Jonathan  Eastman  in  his  memoir  of 
Gen.  Stark,  published  at  Concord,  N.  H,,  in  1831.  Mr. 
Eastman  says  :  "  Two  of  the  American  officers  taken  at  Hub- 
bardstown  relate  the  following  anecdote  by  him  [Fraser].  He 
saw  that  they  were  in  distress,  as  their  continental  paper  would 
not  pass  with  the  English  ;  and  offered  to  loan  them  as  much 
as  they  wished  for  their  present  convenience.  They  took  three 
guineas.  He  remarked  to  them,  '  Gentlemen,  take  what  you 
wish  —  give  me  your  due  bills,  and  when  we  reach  Albany  I 
trust  to  your  honor  to  take  them  up  ;  for  we  shall  doubtless 
overrun  the  country,  and  I  shall  probably  have  an  opportunity 
of  seeing  you  again.'  Gen.  Fraser  fell  in  the  battle  of  the  7th 
of  Oct.  ;  the  notes  were  consequently  never  paid  ;  but  the 
signers  of  them  could  not  refrain  from  shedding  tears  at  the 
fate  of  this  gallant  and  generous  enemy." 

Page  64,  add  to  note  on  Buck  (Carleton)  Island:  "The 
celebrated  Jemima  Wilkinson,"  says  Rochefoucault,"  in  1794, 
thought  of  removing  her  family  and  establishment  from  Bluff 
Point  on  Crooked  Lake,  N.  Y.,  and  of  settling  in  Carleton 
Island  on  the  Lake  of  Ontario,  where  she  would  enjoy  the 


Addenda.  125 

satisfaction   of  living   under  the  English   Government,  which, 
by  her  account,  had  proffered  her  a  grant  of  land." 

Page  84,  note  I,  add  :  Fort  Bull  was  a  block-house  sur- 
rounded by  palisades  and  furnished  with  loop-holes;  "  but  formed 
in  such  a  strange  manner,"  says  Garneau,  "  that  the  latter  served 
as  a  protection  to  assailants,  who  could  fire  under  cover  at  the 
defenders  within,  and  whose  persons  were  completely  exposed." 
The  palisades  having  been  cleared  away  with  hatchets,  the 
fort,  as  stated  in  note  on  page  84,  was  taken  by  assault,  and  the 
entire  garrison,  except  thirty,  put  to  the  sword. 

Page  85,  as  a  note  to  "  Missisagues,"  read  :  u  The  Mis- 
sisagues,"  writes  the  Hon.  Wm.  C.  Bryant  to  the  author, 
u  were  Algonquins.  They  composed  the  Eagle  Tribe  of  the 
Ojibawa  nation,  and  resided  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake 
Ontario  near  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Toronto.  Their 
descendants  occupy  a  Reserve  on  the  Grand  River,  given  them 
by  the  British  Iroquois."  Speaking  of  this  tribe,  the  Duke 
Rochefoucault  Liancourt,  who  visited  it  in  1795,  says  :  "  About 
forty  miles  from  Kingston  are  some  villages  of  the  Missasogas 
[Missisagues] ;  and  wandering  tribes  of  the  same  nation  are 
constantly  rambling  about  the  banks  of  the  Lake  [Ontario], 
pass  a  few  nights  in  one  place  and  a  few  in  another,  cross  the 
river  on  the  confines  of  the  United  States,  and  stop  in  the 
islands ;  hunting  and  fishing  are  their  only  employments.  They 
are  the  filthiest  of  all  the  Indians,  I  have  hitherto  seen,  and  have 
the  most  stupid  appearance.  They  are  said  to  live  poorly,  to 
be  wicked  and  thievish,  and  men,  women  and  children  all  given 
to  drinking.  The  uncommon  severity  of  the  winter  in  this 
country,  occasions  not  the  least  alteration  in  their  mode  of 


126  Addenda. 

living.  In  their  small  canoes  they  carry  with  them  some  rolls 
of  the  bark  of  soft  birch,  which  serve  to  cover  the  huts  built  in 
the  form  of  a  cone,  wherein  they  sleep,  and  which  are  supported 
merely  by  some  slight  props,  on  which  rest  these  portable  walls, 
that  at  the  top  leave  a  passage  for  the  smoke."  Now  contrast 
the  above  description  of  this  tribe  as  given  by  that  kindly  and 
faithful  chronicler,  Liancourt,  with  its  present  condition. 

On  the  1 3th  of  September  of  this  year  (1882),  a  large  body 
of  Red-men  met  to  dedicate  the  council-house  which  the  Mis- 
sisagues  have  erected  on  their  reservation.  The  Missisagues, 
who  now  number  only  220  persons,  own  2,000  acres  of  land 
divided  into  fifty-acre  farms,  and  all  under  cultivation  ;  they 
maintain  a  church  and  a  school,  and  have  $200,000  in  the 
government  funds.  Thinking  that  their  prosperity  entitled 
them  to  the  convenience  of  a  council-house  in  which  to 
transact  their  business,  they  erected  a  neat  and  comfortable 
building,  and  asked  their  friends  to  help  them  dedicate  it. 
About  1,500  members  of  the  Six  Nations  and  Indian  delegates 
from  remote  points  were  present.  Songs,  speeches,  dances, 
the  music  of  brass  bands  and  an  abundant  dinner  made  up  the 
regular  programme,  and  the  afternoon  closed  with  the  formal 
adoption  of  the  wife  of  Dr.  P.  E.  Jones,  chief  of  the  Missisa- 
gues. Mrs.  Jones  is  a  white  lady,  and  her  husband  a  regularly 
educated  physician,  is  a  gentleman  of  many  accomplishments. 
She  was  received  into  the  tribe  under  the  name  of  Wabunooqua, 
"Lady  of  the  Morning."  This  incident  illustrates  in  a  striking 
manner  the  good  fruits  of  Canada's  Indian  policy  compared  with 
the  shameful  and  rascally  one  pursued  by  the  United  States. 

Page  91,  in  a  note  to  "  a  signal  for  [illegible]  anything  white 
in  the  bow."  I  have  said  I  thought  that  in  the  MS.,  the  word 


Addenda.  127 

that  seems  illegible  looks  like  the  Charity,  i.  e.,  the  sloop  Charity. 
My  friend,  General  de  Peyster,  however,  thinks  otherwise  ; 
and  I  confess  his  explanation  is  the  most  plausible.  He  writes 
me  as  follows  :  "  I  think  I  have  discovered  the  meaning  of  the 
illegible  word  on  page  91.  You  thought  it  was  "  Charity." 
I  think  it  was  a  signal  to  Charier,  which  was  the  old  French 
maritime  term  (according  to  a  French  dictionary  published  in 
1799),  signifying  'to  carry  all  sail  that  the  masts  will  bear.' 
In  this  case,  therefore,  it  meant  a  signal  to  hurry  up  or  to  make 
all  possible  speed  ;  and  the  sentence  would  then  read  '  a  signal 
for  Charier  [i.  e.,  a  hurrying  up],  anything  white  in  the  bow.' >: 

Page  96,  as  a  note  to  St.  Leger's  letter  to  Lieut.  Bird,  read  : 
St.  Leger's  fears  of  a  "  carnage  "  was  not  unfounded,  though 
he  probably  did  not  foresee  that  this  "  carnage  "  would  be  — 
as  the  event  proved  —  perpetrated  upon  his  own  troops.  "  I 
learned  from  General  Simcoe,"  says  Rochefoucault  Liancourt, 
writing  in  1795,  "that  on  St.  Leger's  retreat,  the  English 
troops  lost  more  men  from  the  Indians  firing  on  them,  than 
from  the  pursuit  of  the  Americans."  Neither  is  this  testimony 
that  of  one  friendly  to  the  Americans.  On  the  contrary,  Gen. 
Simcoe  was  most  bitterly  hostile  to  the  colonies,  cherishing  his 
animosity  long  after  they  had  gained  their  independence.  "  The 
hatred  of  the  governor  [Gen.  Simcoe]  against  the  United  States," 
writes  in  1796,  Rochefoucault  Liancourt,  occasions  him,  on 
the  slightest  occasion,  to  overleap  all  the  bounds  of  prudence 
and  decency,  which  he  carefully  observes  in  all  other  matters. 
He  was  a  zealous  promoter  of  the  American  war,  in  which  he 
took  a  very  active,  yet  very  unfortunate  part.  The  calamitous 
issue  of  the  war  has  still  more  exasperated  his  hostility  ;  and 
it  was  with  the  sincerest  grief  I  listened  to  his  boasting  of 


128  Addenda. 

the  numerous  houses  he  had  fired  during  that  unfortunate  con- 
flict, and  of  his  intention  to  burn  a  still  greater  number  in  case 
of  a  rupture.  In  short,  the  whole  of  his  intentions  on  this 
subject  was  such  as  the  most  violent  party  rage  alone  can 
inspire  *  *  *  His  hatred  against  the  rebels  is  so  violent  : 
and  his  displeasure,  occasioned  by  the  surrender  of  the  forts  is 
so  strong  ;  that  the  charge  preferred  against  him  by  the  United 
States,  of  his  having  last  year  assisted  the  Indians  as  much  as 
he  could,  without  making  himself  openly  a  party  in  the  dispute, 
seems  not  devoid  of  foundation." 

Page  52.  The  note,  containing  a  description  of  Fort  (Castle) 
Johnson,  should  be  read  in  connection  with  the  engraving  of 
Fort  Johnson,  one  of  the  illustrations  of  Col.  Myers'  article 
on  the  Tories  or  Loyalists  in  America. 


•O 


tl)e 


I  desire  to  express  my  acknowledgements  to  Colonel  Myers, 
for  his  kindness  in  furnishing  at  my  solicitation  the  accompany- 
ing paper.  In  using  some  material,  which,  he  had  purposed  to 
devote  to  a  privately  printed  volume,  he  has  laid  myself  and  the 
subscribers  under  additional  obligations.  Indeed,  my  thanks  can- 
not be  too  warmly  expressed  to  General  de  Peyster  and  himself — 
as  well  known  historical  amateurs  —  in  this  "tripartite"  publi- 
cation ;  and  more  particularly,  since  by  a  coincidence,  both  of 
those  gentlemen  (together  with  Mr.  Burt  who  kindly  furnished 
the  sketch  of  Oswego,  page  88),  have  aided  me  at  an  unusual 
period  for  mental  labor,  when  they  themselves  were  far  from 
well. 

In  the  case  of  the  former  gentleman,  in  addition  to  his  own 
physical  weakness,  he  has  recently  suffered  from  a  severe  afflic- 
tion in  which  those  interested  in  American  History  have  deeply 
sympathized,  viz  :  the  loss  of  his  honored  father,  the  late 
President  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society. 

I  wish  also  to  thank  Mr.  Frank  Munsell  for  the  typo- 
graphical excellence  of  the  "  Orderly  Book,"  and  likewise,  for 
his  kindness  in  contributing  to  it  at  my  request  and  at  his  own 
expense,  the  beautiful  engraving  of  his  father,  the  late  Joel 
Munsell.  jVIr.  Frank  Munsell  inherits  all  the  great  love  for  the 
preservation  of  the  historical  and  antiquarian  lore  of  our  country 
which  made  his  late  lamented  father  so  preeminently  known  as 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

ALSO   CONTRIBUTED. 

To  face. 
View  of  Fort  Johnson  i  39 

Portrait  of  Sir  William  Johnson     -     -  159 
Facsimile  of  Paper  signed   by  the  John- 
sons, Herckmer,    Schuyler,   and  others  16 1 
Facsimile  of  Proclamation  of  George  III  181 
Portrait  of  Joseph  Brant  from  plate  used 

in  "  Life  of  Brant"  196 
View  of  Johnson  Hall  from  plate    used  in 

"  Life  of  Johnson  "  -     -     -     -  212* 

Facsimile  of  Washington's  Letter  -     -  215 

Facsimile  of  Declaration  of  Independence  220 


THE  TORIES  OR  LOYALISTS. 


HE  accompanying  waifs,  possessing  in 
themselves  as  little  intrinsic  interest  as 
continuity,  are  a  few  random  footprints 
of  Sir  John  Johnson's  life  of  exile,  spared 
by  the  tides  of  a  century  which  have 
effaced  many  of  his  once  deeper  im- 
pressions on  American  affairs.  They 
casually  fell  into  the  writer's  historical 
collection,  mingled  with  other  imported  manuscripts,  proving 
at  least,  that  some  antiquarian  in  the  old  world  had  considered 
them  worthy  of  preservation. 

The  knowledge  that  amongst  such  fragments  have  been 
found  the  key  to  valuable  facts,  and  the  elucidation  of  past 
events  obscured  by  time,  has,  as  we  know,  caused  a  growing 
interest  in  the  preservation  in  public  or  private  collections  or 
in  print,  of  anything  of  a  public  character,  produced  by  the 
brain  and  hands  of  men  who  made  some  mark  on  their  time 
before  passing  away. 

What  seems  of  little  value  to  one,  may  become  of  interest 
to  another,  and  we  know  that  there  are  few  things  existing 
which  have  not  a  place  when  the  problem  of  supply  and  demand 
is  solved.  Even  a  rock  which  has  long  cumbered  the  ground 
becomes  valuable  when  broken  up  and  concreted  into  a  wall. 
18 


140  Tories  or   Loyalists 

Although  these  papers  referred  to  throw  very  little,  and  that  a 
later  light  upon  the  unfortunate  career  of  Sir  John  Johnson, 
which  will  be  found  more  fully  considered  by  experienced  hands 
in  the  preceding  pages,  they  have  a  value  as  a  means  of  pre- 
senting incidentally,  such  letters  of  his  cotemporaries  as  space 
permits,  connected  with  events  in  which  he  participated.  In 
themselves  they  contain  little  of  historical  interest  and  treat 
more  of  counting  of  the  cost  of  war  than  of  its  more  interesting 
details. 

Some  investigator  of  facts  may  find  in  them  a  suggestion, 
or  possibly  a  warning,  against  the  repetition  of  such  unremunera- 
tive  outlay,  attending  the  more  valuable  loss  of  blood.  To 
another,  they  may  seem  no  more  instructive,  than  the  brick 
which  the  fool  in  the  fable  carried  with  him  in  his  travels,  as 
an  illustration  of  the  house  in  which  he  lived. 

The  knowledge  that  Mr.  Stone,  who  has  already  supplemented 
his  father's  valuable  service  in  furnishing  interesting  details  of 
struggles  between  the  colonists  of  France  and  England,  and 
those  of  the  Revolution  on  that  debatable  ground,  the  northern 
frontier,  in  which  the  romantic  Valley  of  the  Mohawk  was 
often  a  base  of  British  operations,1  was  occupied  in  connection 
with  General  de  Peyster  (  an  enthusiastic  student  and  commen- 
tator on  many  of  the  military  events  of  both  continents),  in 
preparing  a  brochure  intended  to  illustrate  the  military  career 
of  Sir  John  Johnson,  and  aiming  in  a  biographical  sketch,  to 
remove  some  of  the  unanswered  obloquy  which  was  piled 
upon  him  as  the  exiled  adherent  of  a  lost  and  unpopular  cause,* 

1  The  Life  of  Sir  William  Johnson  and  The  Campaigns  of  General  Burgoyne. 

8  As  an  illustration  of  the  then  widely  prevailing  sentiment,  the  citizens  of  Worcester, 
Mass.,  voted  May  19,  1783,  "  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  town,  it  would  be  truly 
dangerous  to  the  peace,  happiness,  liberty  and  safety  of  these  States,  to  suffer  those 


in  the  Revolution.  14.1 

with  an  Orderly  Book  as  a  basis,  has  induced  the  contribution 
of  these  .fragments  as  an  annex  to  their  work. 

These  prefatory  notes  are  added  at  Mr.  Stone's  suggestion. 

The  task  of  Gen.  de  Peyster  would  seem  to  any  unbiased 
reader  to  be  a  natural  one  to  a  collateral  descendant  thus  qualified, 
and  infinitely  more  practicable  since  our  own  experiences  in  the 
great  Civil  War. 

In  the  division  of  section,  family  and  friends  which  it 
induced,  in  the  bitterness  of  the  feeling  and  vehement  denun- 
ciation of  motive  and  action  it  called  forth,  were  reproduced 
those  of  the  Revolution  of  1 776,  only  upon  a  grander  scale.  Then 
men  weighed  their  duties  and  responsibilities,  and  the  relative 
claims  of  the  flag  under  which  they  were  born,  or  those  of  the 
states  in  which  they  were  located,  and  compared  the  grievances 
which  had  caused  the  separation  from  Great  Britain  with 
those  claimed  to  have  succeeded  under  that  subsequent  Union 
of  the  States.  In  recalling  the  terms  of  ridicule  and  reproach 
engendered  by  hatred,  exchanged  between  the  defenders  of  that 
Union  and  the  Confederates,  and  the  little  credit  given  by  either 

who,  the  moment  the  bloody  banners  were  displayed,  abandoned  their  native  land, 
turned  parricides,  and  conspired  to  involve  their  country  in  tumult,  ruin  and  blood, 
to  become  the  subjects  of  and  reside  in  this  government  5  that  it  would  be  not  only 
dangerous,  but  inconsistent  with  justice,  policy,  our  past  laws,  the  public  faith,  and 
the  principles  of  a  free  and  independent  state,  to  admit  them  ourselves,  or  to  have 
them  forced  upon  us  without  our  consent."  :  *  *  "  That  until  the  further  order 
of  the  government,  they  (the  committees  of  Correspondence,  Inspection  and  Safety), 
will,  with  decision,  spirit,  and  firmness,  endeavor  to  enforce  and  carry  into  execution 
the  several  laws  of  this  Commonwealth,  respecting  these  enemies  of  our  rights,  and 
the  rights  of  mankind  ;  give  information,  should  they  know  of  any  obtruding  them- 
selves into  any  part  of  this  State,  suffer  none  to  remain  in  this  town,  but  cause  to  be 
confined  immediately,  for  the  purpose  of  transportation  according  to  law,  any  that 
may  presume  to  enter  it."  These  were  the  general  terms  meted  out  to  the  Tories, 
recorded  in  the  "Journal  and  Letters  of  Samuel  Curwen,  Judge  of  Admiralty,"  a 
"  Harvard  Man  "  of  1735,  an^  m  his  time  a  valued  citizen.  Although  not  an 
active  partisan  he  passed  into  exile  through  his  scruples  in  1775,  ^ut  as  an  ex~ 
ceptional  case  was  allowed  to  return,  in  the  ensuing  year,  to  live  and  die  at  his  old 
home  in  Salem,  in  1802. 


142  Tories  or  Loyalists 

to  the  sense  of  duty  which  actuated  their  opponents,  we  can 
understand,  now  that  temporary  feeling  is  rapidly  passing  away, 
that  in  the  earlier  struggle  there  clearly  frequently  existed  as 
honest  and  as  opposite  convictions  of  right. 

Surely  the  time  has  arrived  when  we  can  discuss  without 
temper,  the  motives,  and  appreciate  the  loyalty  to  their  gov- 
ernment, the  sacrifice  of  life  and  property,  and  the  sufferings 
by  confiscation  and  exile  of  that  valuable  material  for  continued 
citizenship  —  numbering  at  least  twenty  thousand  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  a  sparsely  settled  and  devastated  country  —  then  trans- 
ferred as  Refugees  into  Nova  Scotia  and  Canada3  to  form 

3  The  following  paper  endorsed  "  1 60,  Proposals  for  a  General  Naturalization 
Bill,"  from  the  contents  and  the  appearance  of  the  carefully  written  manuscript,  and 
of  the  observations  which  follow  it,  was  evidently  submitted  to  Parliament  soon  after 
the  Peace — it  is  considered  worthy  of  a  place,  as  showing  the  value  attached  by  the 
British  Government  to  her  exiled  adherents,  and  her  desire  to  retain  them  in 
her  remaining  Colonies,  as  to  her  a  tried  element  of  population.  It  will  be  observed 
that  while  providing  for  all  classes  of  Tories,  it  ingeniously  invites  the  ''Rebels," 
whom  it  assumes  to  be  already  dissatisfied  with  their  new  experiment,  to  join  them. 

"THE  INHABITANTS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  who  took  part  with  the  British  Gov- 
ernment by  remaining  or  by  continuing  within  the  Lines  during  the  War  in  America, 
and  who  have  since  removed  into  any  part  of  the  British  Dominions  having  never  done 
anything  to  forfeit  their  original  rights  and  privileges  as  British  Subjects,  are  in  that 
respect,  in  the  same  situation  as  at  first,  and  have  no  want  of  any  act  of  Parliament 
on  that  account.  Some  of  the  Americans  who  did  not  remove  within  the  Lines,  have 
continued  obstinately  Non-jurors  to  the  United  States  to  this  day.  These  men 
during  the  War  suffered  much  in  their  property  by  the  payment  of  double  Taxes, 
and  underwent  many  personal  inconveniences,  and  even  insults,  and  though  their 
situation  may  be  rendered  somewhat  more  Tolerable  by  the  Peace,  yet  it  must  be 
sufficiently  disagreeable  to  induce  them  to  change  it,  and  to  remove  within  the 
British  Dominions,  as  soon  as  they  conveniently  can  do  it.  In  what  light  are  they 
to  be  regarded,  on  their  arrival  in  Nova  Scotia,  or  Canada,  or  elsewhere  in  the 
British  Dominion?  Are  they  still  British  Subjects,  or  must  they  be  at  the  expense 
of  soliciting  Acts  of  Naturalization  ?  They  were  originally  Natural  Born  Subjects, 
they  took  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain,  and  they  have 
never  taken  any  other  Oath  of  Allegiance,  how  then  can  they  consistently  with 
common  reason  and  equity  be  regarded  as  Aliens,  and  on  their  arrival  in  the  British 
Dominions,  to  claim  privileges  which  are  their  birthright,  and  which  they  have 
never  forfeited  by  any  Act  of  Theirs,  be  put  to  the  expense  of  being  naturalized  ? 
Are  they  not  rather  to  be  treated  as  subjects  returning  from  a  foreign  country,  in 
which  adverse  Circumstances  have  detained  them,  contrary  to  their  Inclinations  and 


in  the  Revolution.  14.3 

the  best  elements  of  population  in  a  country  in  which  they 
declared  on  their  sad  departure,  they  expected  to  endure  "  nine 
months  of  winter  and  three  of  cold  weather  in  each  year." 
When  the  subsequent  war  of  1812  was  carried  to,  and  across 
the  Canadian  frontier,  our  soldiers  found  in  this  rejected  material 
their  most  determined  opponents.  They  naturally  had  little  in 
common  with  those,  once  their  countrymen,  but  then  only  geo- 
graphically their  neighbors,  still  politically  their  foes,  and  the 

Wishes?  There  are  in  the  United  States,  men  of  a  different,  description,  who 
collectively  form  a  numerous  Body,  men  who  from  the  first  uniformly  refused  to 
take  any  active  part  against  the  British  Government,  who  for  some  time  refused  to 
take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  United  States,  but  were  by  the  force  of  Vexations, 
personal  insult,  and  menances,  finally  brought  to  submit  to  preserve  their  estates 
from  confiscation,  and  themselves  and  families  from  suffering  the  last  extremities  of 
Want  and  Misery.  Those  men,  from  their  coming  in  so  late,  and  by  compulsion, 
to  acknowledge  the  Supremacy  of  the  United  States,  did  not  regain  either  the  Friend- 
ship or  Confidence  of  their  Countrymen,  they  simply  brought  their  persons  and  property 
within  the  protection  of  the  Law,  and  even  that  was  in  some  instances  at  least,  but 
nominally  such.  These  men,  whose  political  principles  have  not  been  changed, 
wish  to  remove,  if  it  could  be  done  on  any  Valuable  Terms.  But  they  must  think 
it  a  hard  case  to  be  considered  as  Aliens,  and  be  obliged  to  sue  for  Acts  of  Na- 
turalization, at  a  great  and  ruinous  expense  and  Loss  of  Time,  and  to  pray  and  pay 
dearly  to  be  declared,  what  they  are  conscious  in  their  Hearts,  that  they  have  ever 
been,  British  Subjects.  The  last  and  most  numerous  Class,  and  who  have  neither 
Law  or  Equity  to  urge,  but  good  policy  only,  are  Merchants,  the  middle  and  lower 
Orders  of  Farmers,  Shipwrights,  Fishermen  and  Sailors.  That  is,  those  of  them 
who  voluntarily,  and  without  any  Force  or  compulsion,  took  an  early  and  active  part 
in  favor  of  the  Revolution,  who  at  the  Time  judging  from  appearances  and  repre- 
sentations made  to  them,  of  Absolute  Subjection  and  Slavery  on  the  one  hand,  and 
the  prospect  of  Liberty,  an  exemption  from  Taxes,  and  unbounded  and  unrestrained 
Commerce  on  the  other,  were  naturally  led,  and  as  it  were  necessarily  impelled,  by 
the  Motives  and  Objects  before  them,  to  take  the  part  which  they  then  took,  but 
who  on  reflection  and  experience  perceive  their  Error,  find  all  those  favorable 
prospects  vanished,  and  in  their  place  Factions  and  Licentiousness  predominant, 
their  persons  or  Estates  loaded  with  intolerable  Taxes,  and  their  Commerce,  more 
circumscribed  and  burthened  than  ever,  they  are  solicitous  to  regain  their  former 
political  situation,  by  removing  within  the  British  Dominions,  and  returning  to  their 
Ancient  and  hereditary  Allegiance,  if  they  can  be  received  and  admitted  to  the  same 
privileges,  as  others  of  their  rank  and  orders  in  Life,  are  entitled  to.  With  regard 
to  the  first,  that  is,  the  Loyalists  already  removed,  there  can  be  no  question.  For 
the  two  next,  the  actual  non-jurors  who  are  as  such  to  this  day,  and  those  who  by 
Violence  and  Menances,  were  forced  to  take  Oath;  of  Allegiance  to  the  New  Govern- 
ment, much  may  be  urged  in  their  favor,  both  in  Law  and  Equity.  As  to  the 
re-admission  of  the  latter,  by  much  the  most  numerous  Body,  and  rapidly  increasing, 
political  considerations  and  motives  alone  can  be  urged,  and  those  if  all  the  circum- 


144  Tories  or  Loyalists 

occupants  of  their  forfeited  homes.  Compare  this  adjustment  in 
1783  with  the  more  wise  policy  of  our  government  in  the  late 
struggle,  where,  after  the  suppression  of  armed  resistance,  the 
citizens  were  soon  restored  to  civil  rights,  and  their  property  — 
not  lost  by  military  results,  and  the  attendant  reduction  of 
values  —  and  were  reunited  in  a  common  administration  of 
public  affairs. 

History  written    in    the   progress  or   at  the   termination   of 
a   war,  is  usually  formed  like  the  government  by  the  victorious 

stances  are  understood,  and  the  consequences  fully  examined  into,  will  prove  as 
forcible  as  anything  that  can  be  urged  for  the  former.  It  is  therefore  proposed  that 
a  General  Declaratory  Act  should  be  passed,  putting  the  situation  of  all  those  who 
have  already  removed  from  the  United  States,  and  Settled  in  any  part  of  the  British 
Dominions,  beyond  any  future  question  or  doubt,  declaring  that  all  who  were  formerly 
British  Subjects  in  any  part  of  the  United  States  or  born  of  Parents  who  were 
British  Subjects  in  those  States,  previous  to  the  late  Treaty  of  Peace,  shall  on  their 
removal  into  any  part  of  the  British  Dominions  in  America,  either  on  the  Continent, 
or  in  the  West  India  Islands,  and  on  taking  and  subscribing  the  Oath  and  declara- 
tion which  shall  be  acquired  by  them,  shall  be  admitted  to  all  the  rights  and  pri- 
vileges of  free  and  natural  born  subjects  of  Great  Britain,  provided  that  their  removal, 
and  taking  the  Oath  be  within  four  years  from  the  passing  such  Act,  provided  also 
that  they  bring  certificates  of  their  having  been  formerly  British  Subjects,  in  the 
United  States  when  Colonies,  or  the  Children  of  such  Subjects.  The  oaths  to  be 
administered  by  Magistrates  named  for  that  purpose,  and  recorded  in  the  public 
Records  of  the  province  or  Colony  where  the  jame  shall  be  taken. 

ist  Observation.  There  will  be  no  objection  to  that  part  of  such  an  Act,  as  refers 
to  the  Declared,  and  actually  removed  Loyalist. 

ad  Observation.  In  regard  to  the  two  second,  no  material  exception  can  be  taken 
to  persons  continuing.  Non-jurors  are  Loyalists,  not  yet  removed  within  the  British 
Dominion,  their  not  removing  on  the  evacuation  of  New  York  is  no  Ol>jecfion)  as  too 
many  were  then  under  an  absolute  and  pressing  necessity  to  remove.^  so  that  their  re- 
maining, became  a  favor  to  those  who  did  remove,  and  those  forced  to  submit  to  the 
Oath  imposed  upon  them,  are  to  be  considered  as  being  nearly  in  the  same  predicament. 

But  3dly,  if  these  are  admitted,  it  is  hardly  possible  to  prevent  the  last  description  from 
coming  in  under  their  Character,  not  inconsistent  with  that  of  a  Merchant,  a 
Farmer,  a  Shipwright,  a  Fisherman,  or  a  Sailor,  these  ordtrs  of  men  are  immediately 
•wanted,  and  in  Great  Numbers,  in  Nova  Scotia  and  Canada,  and  as  those  orders  of 
men  find  themselves  pressed  by  taxes  in  the  United  States  and  their  Commerce  restricted 
as  Aliens  and  Foreigners  by  this  and  other  Nations,  and  burtbened  -with  duties  and 
imports  by  their  own  Government  they  •will  naturally  incline  to  remove  and  such  an 
encouragement  may  probably  render  Nova  Scotia  and  Canada  populous,  and  rich  in  a 
very  few  years. 


in  the  Revolution.  14.5 

sentiment.  Vae  victis  !  It  is  left  to  posterity  in  most  cases  to 
do  justice  to  the  unfortunate. 

In  Painting  and  Cartography,  truth  to  nature,  and  accuracy, 
are  indispensible  to  value.  We  continue  our  appreciation  of 
Old  Masters,  and  admire  and  even  yet  sail  by  the  carefully 
based  and  grandly  executed  Charts  of  the  earlier  centuries ; 
while  we  also  accept  the  new  school  of  Art,  as  well  as  the 
improved  Maps  which  several  nations,  notably  including  our  own 
vie  in  perfecting.4  Why  should  not  History,  which  records, 
the  action  of  what  is  held  as  nature's  noblest  work,  be 
ranked  as  a  kindred  art  ?  While  it  would  be  the  act  of  a 
vandal  to  alter  an  old  masterpiece,  it  may  be  the  duty  of 
an  humble  painter  to  restore  it,  and'  the  right  of  all  Artists  to 
seek  to  improve  upon  it. 

No  careful  cross  reader  has  failed  to  detect  palpable  errors  in 
history,  possibly  injected  in  hasty  compilation,  from  ill  founded 
rumor,  misconception,  or  partisan  zeal,  perhaps  allowed  to 
remain  until  too  late  for  available  cotemporaneous  correction, 
by  the  indifference,  or  individuality,  of  even  a  worthy  actor. 
It  would  seem  as  though  in  all  ages,  men,  while  naturally 
desiring  to  be  recorded  as  famous  in  public  affairs,  or 
in  the  field,  have  permitted  the  notable  achievements  of  their 
assistants  to  be  condensed  in  their  own.  Often  the  resort 
to  Official  Records  has  corrected  hasty  narrative  and  changed 

*  An  examination  of  the  progress  of  this  science  in  essential  details,  although 
artistic  embellishment  is  less  used  than  formerly,  would  appear  interesting  to  every 
one  connected  with  some  portion  of  the  surface  delineated. 

The  American  "  Geographical  Society,"  only  a  few  years  since  still  a  problematical 
undertaking,  now  grown  into  a  widely  appreciated  and  amply  sustained  fact  j  has  largely 
through  the  unremitting  attention  of  its  President,  Chief  Justice  Daly,  collected  in  its 
Map-room  one  of  the  most  complete  series  ever  formed  by  a  technical  institution, 
affording  an  opportunity  to  those  who  would  appreciate  Cartography  to  examine  its 
claim  to  be  recognized  as  high  Art. 


146  Tories  or  Loyalists 


the  complexion  of  what  has  long  been  accepted  as  facts. 
Such  investigations  even  centuries  after,  when  applied  to  the  his- 
tory of  our  late  war,  or  that  we  are  now  making,  will  doubtless 
prove  the  shears  of  Nemesis  and  continue  to  clip  off  a 
surplus  fringe  of  long  seated  error. 

To  aid  in  such  researches  and  to  make  its  illustration  more 
complete,  Old  letters,  Documents  and  Diaries 5  of  public  interest 
have  each  a  use.  Letters  we  oftenest  rely  upon  for  cotem- 
porary  testimony.  Diaries  kept  for  personal  reference  or 
amusement,  even  when  meagre  in  detail,  but  written  without 
the  intention  of  publication,  or  of  influencing  the  views  of 
others,  and  so  possessing  the  value  of  disinterested  testimony 
at  the  period  as  to  events,'  persons  and  dates,  have  furnished 
valuable  acquisitions  to  printed  history  for  the  reason  that  they 
were  records  of  personal  impression  only  and  reserved  until 
excitement  had  passed  away.  The  Orderly  Books  or  Diaries 
of  regiments,  have  also  afforded  interesting  details  of  service, 
against  accepted  error  or  conflicting  testimony,  fixing  dates, 
positions,  the  number  and  description  of  a  force,  and  the  com- 
pass of  its  movements,  and  when  annotated  by  a  skillful  hand 

5  The  "  History  of  New  York,  in  the  Revolutionary  War,"  by  the  able  but  cynical 
Judge  Thomas  Jones  — published  through  the  liberality  of  one  of  his  relatives,  Mr. 
John  D.  Jones,  and  ably  edited  by  another,  Mr.  Edward  Floyd  de  Lancey,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society  in  1879,  with  copious  notes  and  re- 
ferences, is  a  rich  mine  to  which  any  person  interested  in  this  subject,  may  pro- 
fitably turn  from  this  merely  suggestive  commentary.  The  fierce  impartiality  with 
which  he  criticises  Whig  and  Tory,  soldier  and  civilian,  induces  additional  credence 
to  the  many  curious  facts  he  recorded  in  exile,  of  men  and  events  with  which  he 
was  familiar.  A  letter  from  General  Huntington  to  his  son,  while  occupying  his 
fine  town  house,  east  of  the  City  Hall, —  in  that  collection — expresses  gratitude  to 
him  for  planting  the  fruit  he  was  enjoying  at  his  quarters,  and  its  fine  view  of  the 
harbor.  His  country  estate  at  Fort  Neck,  is  preserved  in  the  family  by  an  entail  that 
prevented  confiscation.  This,  even  with  the  letter  books  of  Governor  Cadwallader 
Golden,  published  by  that  Society,  cross  read  with  Judge  William  Smith's  "  His- 
tory of  the  Province  of  New  York,"  would  in  themselves  afford  an  opening  for 
a  research  similar  to  that  of  Carlyle,  for  the  truthful  inwardness  of  affairs  at  that 
period,  in  the  city. 


in  the  Revolution.  14.7 

and  published,  have  furnished  the  clew  to  much  information 
otherwise  lost  from  the  woof  of  history. 

Those  who  have  found  entertainment  in  delving  into  the 
controversial  folios  of  partisan  writers,  full  of  what  appeared 
to  them  to  be  truths,  have  realized  how  easily,  and  honestly, 
men  may  differ. 

In  England  in  the  varied  changes  in  the  control  of  a  divided 
people,  by  Charles  I,  or  by  the  Parliament,  the  Common- 
wealth or  the  Restoration,  those  of  each  in  turn  had 
the  opportunity  of  disseminating  such  convictions,  to  approving 
readers,  and  for  posterity  to  consider  and  compare.  As  an 
example  of  their  utility,  it  was  amongst  such  discordant  narra- 
tions—  much  of  which  he  styled  "Shot  Rubbish" — that  Car- 
lyle,  and  others,  have  searched  analogically  for  facts,  and  it  was 
from  such  neglected  authorities  that  he  derived  many  of  the  con- 
clusions, which  give  color  to  his  illustration  of  the  "Letters  and 
Speeches  of  Oliver  Cromwell,"  probably  destined  to  survive 
those  crude  "  Reminiscences  "  of  his  own  career,  which  have 
recently  disappointed  his  appreciators.  The  peculiarities  of  his 
inverted  expression,  and  thought  provoking  style,  once  com- 
prehended, the  result  of  those  researches  appears  to  present  to 
the  reader,  even  in  a  concentrated  form,  the  man,  his  impulses, 
and  surroundings,  often  overlooked  before  in  the  consideration 
of  the  narrative  of  his  remarkable  career. 

From  the  mass  of  such  conflicting  testimony,  has  also  been 
in  part  exhumed  at  different  periods,  the  material  from  which 
such  accepted  writers  as  Hume,  Smollett,  Gibbon,  Robertson, 
Macauley,  Alison,  Mahon,  and  many  others  less  broadly  known, 
have  erected  with  the  increasing  impartiality  attending  later  in- 
vestigation, Monuments  to  their  country,  creditable  to  the  work- 
19 


148  Tories  or  Loyalists 

men.  Each,  in  his  way  has  apparently  sought  to  form  safe 
resting  places  for  conviction,  by  substituting  what,  after  careful 
inspection,  appeared  to  possess  the  solidity  of  fact,  for  what  the 
impulse  of  the  hour  had  concreted,  but  time,  and  closer  in- 
vestigation, pronounced  unreliable. 

Some  of  such  investigators,  have  been  impressed  with  certain 
coincidences  between  that  Great  English  Revolution,  and  our 
own  of  1776. 

Arising,  in  each  case  amongst  the  same  race,  firm  in  con- 
victioli  and  resolute  in  assertion,  inspired  by  similar  complaints 
of  oppression  and  sense  of  right,  resulting  alike  in  divided 
sentiment  as  to  the  proper  extent  of  Prerogative,  and  the 
remedy  against  its  encroachments,  involving  at  first,  heated 
discussion  in  public  assemblies,  filling  the  minds  of  many 
well  meaning  citizens  with  doubt  as  to  a  course  rendered 
difficult  to  fix  upon  by  conflicting  ties  or  interests,  and  finally 
precipitating  in  one  case  the  Mother  Country  and  in  the  other 
her  Colonies,  into  the  horrors  of  Civil  War,  seeming  in  many 
particulars  to  be  but  the  renewal  of  a  suspended  conflict. 

By  the  result  of  both  of  these  domestic  struggles  many  who 
had  in  former  peaceful  times  been  held  as  valuable  citizens,  were 
impoverished  and  driven  into  exile6  —  in  the  former  from  the 

6 The  following  is    a   letter  from    John  Cruger,   Esq.,  Mayor  of  New  York  from 
1739  to  1744,  and  from  1757  to  1766,  and  Speaker  of  the  Assembly  of  1775.     He 
was   then   a    prisoner   on    parole  at   the  residence  of  his    brother-in-law    Peter  Van 
Schaack,  the  celebrated  lawyer,  whose  wife  soon  after  died  from  want  of  proper  med-. 
ical  treatment  in  New  York,  access  to  which  the  regulations  of  war  precluded. 

KlNDERHOOK,  April  12,    1778. 

SIR: 

I  have  Rec'd  your  favor  &  am  Extremely  Sorry  that  any  Impediment  has  arisen 
in  the  Way  of  my  going  to  New  York.  When  I  Reed  Genl  Gates'  permission 
Upon  Condition  of  my  Engaging  to  fulfil  the  Exchange  he  proposed,  I  wrote  him 
I  did  not  chuse  to  go  Upon  a  condition  which  it  might  be  out  of  my 


in  the  Revolution.  14.9 

varied  successes,  drawri  from  both  of  the  contending  factions — 
affording  opportunity  to  each  in  turn,  to  develope  the  smaller 
characteristics  of  nature,  in  the  uses  of  success  as  an  opportunity 
for  the  harsh  assertion  of  authority,  in  resorting  to  confiscation, 
exile  and  individual  suffering,  in  the  changes  of  property  as  well 
as  of  place. 

Now,  if  we  can  judge  from  history  and  observation,  both 
Cavalier  and  Roundhead  are  looked  back  upon  by  their  descend- 
ants and  their  successors  with  equal  respect,  and  their  actions 
as  the  result  of  conviction,  with  a  common  pride.  The 
impressions  of  the  past  have  been  more  readily  forgotten,  in  the 
activity  of  the  present  by  a  large  portion  of  a  people,  attached 
like  our  own  to  a  government  which  has  developed,  in  the  ex- 
perience of  past  strife  the  elasticity  of  its  institutions,  and  of  a 
progressive  energy  in  rebounding  after  a  strain,  to  even  a 
stronger  tension. 

One  element  of  its  population,  many  of  the  people  of 
Ireland,  from  circumstances  yet  adhere  to  their  old  prej- 
udices, and  still  recall  Cromwell's  severity  in  his  invasion,  and 

power  to  perform.  Upon  which  he  wrote  me  as  your  Excellency  Will  Recollect 
from  his  Letter,  that  he  looked  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton  for  the  performance  of  Any 
Engagement  I  should  make,  and  I  have  reason  to  think  from  What  I  then  and  have 
since  heard  that  this  matter  was  settled  between  these  two  Generals.  Could  I  have 
foreseen  that  it  was  Possible  that  this  wd  have  been  prevented  taking  place,  I  Should 
I  am  sure  have  had  no  difficulty  in  Getting  the  Genls  passport  Upon  which  several 
have  gone  down,  Even  after  he  quitted  Albany,  Altho  I  cannot  it  Seems  be  so 
fortunate.  Perhaps  upon  Considering  this  matter,  Your  Excellency  will  be  of 
opinion  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  will  perform  what  Genl  Gates  Relied  Upon  him  for, 
however  diffident  your  Excellency  may  be  ot  Genl  Jones  Who  is  I  believe  an  Inferior 
Officer  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  Especially  as  I  shall  then  go  down  Upon  the  Confi- 
dence between  him  and  Genl  Gates  &  not  upon  any  promise  of  Genl  Jones.  If 
your  Excellency  still  entertain  doubts,  I  will  be  content  to  go  down  with  one  Servant 
only  (Leaving  my  family  and  Effects,)  upon  Parole  to  return  if  an  Exchange  cannot 
be  Effected.  I  sincerely  Request  of  Your  Excellency,  so  far  as  you  consistently  can,  to 
take  my  situation  into  Consideration,  and  I  hope  when  you  Reflect  on  ye  age  and 
Infirmity  of  my  sister  and  Self,  &  the  great  Inconveniency  which  we  Labour  Under 
here,  You  Will  Readily  fall  upon  some  Means  to  Extricate  Us  Out  of  our  Difficult)  s 


150  Tories  or  Loyalists 

King  William's  success  at  the  Battle  of"  the  Boyne,  with  equal 
bitterness.  They  had  never  cheerfully  transferred  their  adhesion 
from  the  house  of  Stewart  to  either  the  Prince  of  Orange  or  that 
of  Hanover.  Many  of  them,  including  those  of  the  best  ele- 
ment had  been  driven  by  that  war  and  its  results,  into  France  and 
other  countries,  often  to  become  from  choice  soldiers,  in  many 
cases  still  represented  by  their  descendants,  with  the  same 
courage  which  turned  the  current  of  the  fight  at  Fontenoy, 
and  made  the  command  of  the  regiment  Dillon,  long  hereditary. 
Others  came  to  America,  replacing  the  departed  loyalists,  soon 
exceeding  them  in  numbers,  and  rapidly  increasing  as  we  know, 
until  in  many  sections  they  form  a  very  large  element  of  popula- 
tion. Their  hereditary  prejudices  and  their  natural  tendency  to 
politics,  perhaps  inspired  by  the  consideration  of  their  grievances, 
the  apparent  error  of  the  government  in  not  fostering  their 
manufactures,  industries  and  universal  education,  have  perhaps 
united  to  produce  for  generations  political  agitations  and 

Which  I  shall  be  happy  to  Retaliate  by  Every  means   in  my  power,  to    procure  the 
Enlargement  of  any  family,  which  may  be  desirous  of  moving  out  of  New  York. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be  With  great  Esteem 

Yr  Ex.  Most  Obed  & 

Very  humb.  Servt 
His  Ex.  Gov.  Clinton.  JOHN  CRUGEK. 

GOVERNOR  CLINTON'S  ANSWER. 

POUGHKEEPSJE,  April    19,    1778. 

SIR: 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  mth  Instant  &  in  Answer  thereto,  am  reduced 
to  the  necessity  of  Informing  you  that  I  cannot  consent  to  your  going  to  New  York 
in  any  other  way  than  that  of  exchange.  The  conduct  of  Messrs.  Wallace,  Sher- 
brooke  &  several  others  who  were  indulged  to  go  in  on  Parole  &  to  return,  or  send  out 
some  citizens,  in  exchange,  has  rendered  the  like  indulgence  to  others  altogether 
improper.  At  any  rate  the  intercourse  between  the  Country  &  City  will  be  totally 
prohibited  for  some  Weeks  to  come  as  the  Commanding  Officer,  were  I  ever  so 
willing,  will  not  suffer  any  Persons  to  pass  the  Posts  below.  I  shall  be  always  ready 
Sir  to  grant  you  every  Indulgence  consistent  with  the  Duty  of  my  Office. 

I  am  Sir  Your  Most  Obedt.  Servt, 

John  Cruger,  Esq.  (GEORGE  CLINTON.) 


in  the  Revolution.  151 

misunderstandings  at  home,  and  probably  induced  an  immense 
emigration,  who  by  becoming  citizens,  necessarily  separate 
themselves  politically  from  their  country  and  have  in  the  sea- 
board cities  especially,  largely  acquired  that  control  of  which 
they  were  deprived  in  their  old  home,  centuries  ago. 

It  is  a  singular  paradox,  attending  the  gigantic  prosperity  of 
the  country,  that  while  one  large  class  of  citizens  neglect,  in 
the  excitement  of  business  occupations,  even  the  ordinary  duty 
of  electors,  another  often  abandon  the  opportunities  for  solid 
prosperity  and  wealth,  attracted  by  the  glitter  of  authority  and 
perhaps  ephemeral  salary,  and  in  seeking  office  devote  their 
lives  to  "  politics,"  and  their  advancement  to  the  control  of  its 
dispensers. 

While  the  majority  of  the  people  of  Great  Britain  accepted 
the  House  of  Hanover  cheerfully,  if  coldly,  they  took  no 
interest  in  the  complications  of  the  first  two  sovereigns,  in 
protecting  their  birthplace  and  Principality  on  the  continent. 
Its  position  involved  them  in  the  "  Seven  Years'  War" — without 
eventual  advantage,  and  imposed  upon  them  a  heavy  indebted- 
ness, partially  to  meet  which,  in  the  reign  of  George  III,  the 
attempted  taxation  of  his  American  colonies,  also  its  sear,  was 
resorted  to,  which  afforded  them  their  opportunity. 

The  history  prepared  by  a  conquered  enemy  is  generally 
little  accepted  by  the  victor,  beyond  its  use  in  illustrating  some 
strategic  detail.  Its  statements  of  any  motives,  or  of  rights 
invaded,  or  injustice  done,  would  be  as  indifferently  received  as 
the  argument  of  a  case  after  the  jury  had  retired  —  a  barren 
effort  which  is  believed  to  have  at  times  affected  intellects. 
That  of  the  English  writers,  as  to  the  Revolutionary  war  has 
rarely  been  generally  accepted  or  studied,  in  search  for  even  minor 
particulars,  by  those  satisfied  with  results.  In  our  own  histories, 


152  Tories  or  Loyalists 


while  doing  justice  to  the  general  details  of  the  origin  and  pro- 
gress of  the  conflict,  little  attention  was  naturally  given  to  per- 
sonal conviction,  or  to  apparent  necessity,  as  influencing  the 
action  of  any  ally  of  the  enemy,  while  resisting  the  success  of 
.a  struggle  for  Independence.  Tory  and  Hessian,  have  been 
rated  with  the  Indian,  and  all  considered  the  worst  elements  of 
a  bad  cause,  best  remembered  as  the  perpetrators  of  those 
ravages  of  war,  impressed  more  strongly,  by  tradition  and  early 
history,  upon  the  communities  where  they  occur,  than  any  nobler 
.action,  and  therefore  more  likely  to  survive.  That  they  soon 
departed,  leaving  neither  apologist  nor  vindicator,  seems  to  afford 
a  sufficient  reason  for  some  just  consideration  of  their  then 
position,  a  century  later. 

We  have  realized  some  "modern  instances"  since,  where 
prejudice  has  unduly  obscured,  or  partiality  unreasonably 
brightened,  the  records  of  the  wrestlers  in  a  world  of  action. 
The  annexation  of  Texas  —  a  Republic  then  recently 
carved  out  of  the  territory  of  a  friendly  power,  while  it  slum- 
bered— may  be  recalled  by  some  as  having  presented  a  ques- 
tion of  such  then  apparently  vast  importance,  as  to  have  seemed 
for  a  time  to  shake  the  foundation  of  our  own  government.  Strict 
constructionists  of  law,  and  those  watchful  of  the  integrity  of  our 
avowed  national  policy,  entered  into  vehement  protest  against  an 
act  for  which  they  could  discover  no  authority,  and  its  inevitable 
result,  in  a  war  with  a  weaker  power,  to  acquire  by  force  a  terri- 
tory, then  looked  upon  without  coveting  it,  by  a  large  portion  of 
the  people.  The  debates  in  Congress  on  the  subject,  will  sur- 
vive as  long  as  the  government  they  affected  by  their  results,  as 
characterized  by  marked  ability  and  vehemence,  for  there  were 
surely  many  statesmen  in  Congress  at  that  period.  When  the 
war  was  precipitated,  all  differences  were  speedily  buried  and  the 


in  the  Revolution.  153 

Maxim  "  Our  Country  Right  or  Wrong,"  silenced  dissent  or 
opposition  and  carried  brave  men  of  both  factions  in  concert  to 
the  field.7  Many  Americans  residing  in  Mexican  Territory, 
under  such  protection  as  it  could  afford  to  their  property, 
naturally  placed  themselves  under  their  national  colors. 
We  can  conceive  that  if  the  Mexican  forces  had  then  been  able 
to  invade  the  United  States,  the  action  of  her  citizens  residing 
within  their  borders  and  enjoying  their  protection  would  have 
been  a  subject  for  jealous  scrutiny  !  Their  duty  to  the  flag 
under  which  they  were  born,  unless  abandoned  by  a  new  alle- 
giance, could  not  be  questioned,  while  its  exercise  against  the 
government  that  liad  protected  them  would  have  been  considered 
as  an  act  of  aggravated  hostility. 

In  our  Civil  War  the  manhood  of  the  country  of  an  avail- 
able age  largely  buried  political  dissensions,  and  when  the 
question  was  narrowed  to  that  of  the  supremacy  of  the  flag, 
hastened  to  the  front.  When  such  voluntary  material  for 
its  maintenance  seemed  exhausted,  the  additional  inducement 
of  large  bounties  was  added  to  the  customary  pay  to  stimulate 
patriotism,  or  compensate  for  the  time  diverted  from  personal 
enterprise.  It  was  then  noticed  that  the  representation  of 

7  The  anxiety  to  obtain  service  in  this  war,  and  the  enthusiasm  which  attended 
its  progress,  when  once  precipitated  must  be  recalled  by  many.  More  troops  were 
offered  than  could  be  used,  and  tlie  Southern  and  Southwestern  States,  more 
sectionally  interested  in  the  acquisition  of  new  territory,  continually  pressed  the  offer 
of  additional  regiments.  Those  of  New  York,  which  succeeded  in  obtaining  orders, 
did  good  service  in  Mexico  and  California,  while  others  offered  could  find  no 
place.  The  contributor  recalls  how,  although  opposed  to  the  annexation  from 
surrounding  association,  and  scarcely  qualified  by  age  as  an  elector,  happening  to  be, 
for  the  second  time,  aid  de  camp  to  a  notable  Governor  of  the  old  school,  and  thus  a 
Colonel  on  the  Peace  Establishment,  inspired  by  the  sentiment  of  the  moment,  he 
committed  that  operation  so  painful  to  all  soldiers,  actual  or  implied,  waived  his 
rank  and  raised  a  company,  in  a  regiment  which  was  so  denied  the  privilege  of  fameor 
the  possibility  of  failure.  The  effort  was  an  effect  of  the  electricity  with  which  all 
were  charged,  impressing  even  a  titular  soldier  with  the  value  of  his  sword,  rather 
than  of  his  rank. 


154-  Tories  or  Loyalists 

other  nationalities  in  our  ranks  was  largely  increased.  In 
the  rising  of  a  government  in  its  force  to  preserve  its  existence, 
the  way  was  necessarily  subordinated  to  the  means,  and  all 
were  acceptable.  Even  the  Chinese,  valueless  as  an  elector, 
would  have  been  welcome  in  the  hour  of  danger,  to  fight  for 
a  nationality  open  to  all  others,  as  the  home  of  liberty.  It  was 
noticeable  also,  that  when  hostilities  finally  ensued,  many  who 
had  long  excited  by  their  persistent  eloquence  the  people  of 
both  sections  to  seek  for,  to  cherish,  if  not  to  magnify  differences, 
until  a  perhaps  inevitable  conflict  was  precipitated,  did  not 
crowd  into  the  ranks,  or  if  in  Congress,  all  follow  the  example 
of  that  gallant  Senator,  Edward  D.  Baker,  a  proto-martyr  of  that 
body  in  the  conflict,  who  falling  at  the  head  of  his  regiment 
at  Balls  BlufF,  while  practically  advancing  his  plea  for  the 
Union,  made  a  more  lasting  impression  than  words  addressed 
to  applauding  galleries,  by  men  of  either  section  fired  by  zeal, 
who  failed  to  afterwards  emphasize  the  depth  of  their  convic- 
tions, by  service  in  the  field. 

Those  who  did  this  followed  an  old  precedent,  established 
by  members  of  both  house's  of  Parliament  in  the  English  Civil 
War,  where,  as  an  example,  Lucius  Gary,  Viscount  Falkland8, 

8  Clarendon  in  his  "  History  of  the  Great  Rebellion  "  thus  records  the  virtues  of 
one  who  might  have  been  an  agreeable  and  instructive  associate,  "  he  was  a  person  of 
such  prodigious  parts  of  learning  and  knowledge,  and  of  that  inimitable  sweetness 
and  delight  in  conversation,  and  of  so  flowing  and  obliging  a  humanity  and  goodness 
to  mankind,  and  of  that  primitive  simplicity  and  integrity  of  life,  that  if  there  were 
no  other  brand  upon  the  odious  and  accursed  Civil  War  than  that  single  loss,  it 
must  be  most  infamous  to  all  posterity."  He  was  deeply  depressed  by  the  compass 
which  he  foresaw  in  the  conflict,  frequently  cried  to  himself  "  Peace,  Peace,"  and 
doubting  its  speedy  coming ;  having  accompanied  the  King  at  Edgehill,  Oxford  and 
Gloucester,  being  his  Secretary  of  State,  he  threw  himself  as  a  volunteer  into  the 
front  rank  of  Lord  Byron's  regiment,  at  the  battle  of  Newberry,  and  was  killed  by 
a  musket  ball. 

"  Thus  Falkland  died  the  generous  and  the  just,"  at  least  another  martyr  to 
honest  convictions. 


in  the  Revolution.  155 

a  conscientious  patriot,  and  one  of  the  first  to  rise  in  Parliament 
in  opposition  to  grievances,  was  also  one  of  the  earliest  to  vol- 
untarily die  in  defence  of  his  sovereign,  when  he  considered 
that  the  claims  for  redress  were  pressed  too  far.  Many  members 
of  our  Continental  Congress  also  displayed  by  their  service  in 
the  field,  their  conviction  that  a  statesman  whether  involuntary, 
hereditary  or  professional,  does  not  lessen  his  official  dignity, 
by  contact  in  the  ranks  even  with  those  who  had  not  sympa- 
thized in  the  discussion,  until  forced  into  the  conflict  by  results. 

Gallant  service  in  both  the  council  and  the  field  would  appear 
to  be  unanswerable  evidences  of  at  least  honest  convictions.9 

The  Trumpeter,  in  another  fable,  would  appear  to  have  been 
properly  denied  immunity,  as  a  non-combatant,  for  the  reason 
that  he  incited  bloodshed  by  his  noisy  brass.  It  had  already 

9  An  example  of  this  disinterested  appreciation  of  a  double  duty,  may  be  cited  in 
Lewis  Morris,  a  Signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  a  member  of  Congress, 
grandson  of  a  Colonial  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  in  his  turn  the  son  of  an  English 
officer  of  Cromwell's  army,  who  had  made  America  his  refuge  at  the  Restoration — 
the  proprietor  of  a  Manor  of  some  thousands  of  acres  called  Morrisania,  in  West- 
chester,  New  York,  and  an  honored  citizen,  who,  although  like  the  Johnsons',  with 
much  to  lose  personally,  for  the  prospect  of  a  gain  by  a  change  of  government,  threw 
his  fortunes  into  an  opposite  scale.  His  love  to  freedom, probably  hereditary,  early  carried 
him  into  public  life,  and  with  his  beautiful  home  desolated,  his  family  scattered,  his 
thousand  of  acres  of  woodland  felled  and  the  British  ships  lying  within  cannon  shot 
of  his  mansion,  he  was,  at  the  time  this  letter  was  written,  sitting  in  Congress  and 
commanding  a  disaffected  Brigade,  in  the  southern  part  of  Westchester  County,  the 
most  disloyal  portion  of  a  Tory  State.  It  is  taken  from  the  original  : 

PHILADELPHIA,  September  24,  1776. 


I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  Letter  accompanying  the  Resolve  of  Congress  re- 
lative to  my  return  to  resume  the  command  of  my  Brigade,  at  a  time  when  the 
State  to  which  I  belong  is  invaded,  and  particularly  as  I  am  honored  with  a  military 
command,  I  esteem  it  my  duty  to  account  for  my  absence.  Since  my  arrival  at 
Philadelphia,  the  State  of"  New  York  has  had  no  more  than  a  representative  in 
Congress,  and  as  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Committee  of  Indian  Affairs  were  mostly  out 
of  Town,  the  whole  of  that  necessary  business  has  been  devolved  upon  me.  My 
family  have  been  obliged  to  desert  their  home,  and  meeting  with  them  in  this  f>lacet 

20 


156  Tories  or  Loyalists 

been  discovered,  that  it  was  easier  to  excite  than  to  allay  a 
conflict,  and  that  only  the  peacemaker  was  blessed. 

There  is  a  middle  course,  which  caution  has  often  suggested 
to  personal  interest,  in  the  consideration  of  all  untried  enter- 
prises ;  that  of  uniting  with  neither  party,  while  coquetting  with, 
and  appearing  to  entertain,  the  views  of  both.  From  any  im- 
putation of  such  littleness,  at  least,  Johnson  and  his  Tory 
associates  would  appear  to  have  been  free,  as  the  evidence  of 
their  offence  was  in  their  undisguised  cooperation. 

When  the  French  fleet,  with  Rochambeau's  army,  was 
groping  its  way  in  search  of  Newport  and  towards  Yorktown, 
on  the  loth  of  July,  1780,  through  Martha's  Vineyard,  and  the 
fogs  which  yatchsmen  so  often  deplore,  an  islander  boarded  the 
Conquerant,  74 — conveying  Generals  the  Baron  de  Viomenel, 
Count  de  Custine,  who  soon  after  led  the  advanced  troops  to 

altogether  unprovided^  I  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  delaying  tht  time  of  my  stay 
until  I  could  Jix  them  in  some  situation  ivhere  they  could  be  accommodated.  This  distress 
of  my  Family  on  this  occasion  made  it  my  particular  duty  to  attend  to  them,  and 
which  I  flatter  myself  will  be  justifiable  upon  every  principle  of  justice.  The  situation 
of  my  Brigade  I  was  convinced  was  well  known  to  the  Convention,  I  apprehended 
that  not  more  than  a  Colonel's  command  was  left  in  it,  and  as  such  did  not  think  my 
presence  was  so  absolutely  necessary.  I  have  thought  that  the  existence  of  such  a 
Brigade,  in  which  were  so  many  disaffected  persons,  was  dangerous  to  the  cause  as 
*  well  as  to  my  own  life.  But  being  desirous  to  participate  in  the  virtuous  opposition 

to  the  British  Tyrant,  1  had  determined  as  soon  as  possible  to  join  Gen.  Washington 
and  contribute  my  assistance  to  him,  prompted  in  the  first  instance  by  a  Love  of  my 
Country,  and  in  the  next  place  the  preservation  of  my  property,  being  thoroughly 
convinced  that  unless  we  conquer  I  am  ruined.  However  in  obedience  to  the 
command  of  Convention  I  shall  prepare  with  all  possible  expedition  to  set  out  for 
Westchester,  and  will  endeavor  to  execute  any  orders  they  may  be  pleased  to  give  to 
the  utmost  of  my  ability. 

I  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  myself,  Sir,  Your  obliged  and  Obed't  Humble 
Servant,  LEWIS  MORRIS. 

(To  the  President  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York). 

He  afterwards  returned  to  service,  was  a  Major  General  and  had,  as  his  fellow 
officers,  three  of  his  sons.  Of  his  own  brothers,  Staats  Long  continued  in  the 
British  service,  became  a  Lieutenant  General.  Richard  was  a  Judge  of  Admiralty, 
and  Gouverneur  the  well  esteemed  Diplomatist  and  Congressman. 


in  the  Revolution.  157 

the  Peninsula  and  performed  valuable  service  there,  and  many 
officers  and  men  of  those  auxrlliaries  — and  who  was  useful  as 
a  pilot  bringing  valuable  information,  as  to  the  Americans 
still  holding  Rhode  Island,10  "he  was  a  good  man  "  —  says  the 
Chief  Commissary  who  was  daily  bottling  up  facts  for  our  later 
refreshment — "  and  displayed  intelligence.  He  was  neither  a 
Royalist,  or  Insurgent,  but  a  friend  of  everybody,  as  he  told  us  with 
much  simplicity.*'  As  the  arrival  of  this  expected  assistance 
was  an  occasion  for  the  expression  of  pleasure,  and  as  the  struggle 
it  was  coming  to  aid  in  terminating  had  long  given  opportunity 
for  the  "formation  of  an  opinion,  it  seems  clear  that  he  was  a 
Loyalist,  and  yet  in  a  condition  to  avail  himself  of  the  rapidly 
approaching  success,  with  all  the  privileges  of  a  patriot. 

But  courage  based  upon  even  erroneous  conviction  may  claim 
respect.  A  generous  opponent  after  success  in  defeating  an 
object  which  from  principle  he  has  opposed,  is  often  the  earliest 
reconciled,  and  a  heart  conscious  of  the  duty  of  loyalty,  most 
open  to  forgive  an  honest  but  mistaken  conception. 

Thus,  in  later  years,  after  time  for  comparison  of  events  and 
reflection,  such  appreciation  has  even  extended  over  the  seas  to 
the  adherents  of  the  Pretender,  who  lost  their  lives  and  estates 
in  a  hopeless  effort  to  restore  the  unfortunate  house  of  Stuart, 
to  whom  their  fathers  owed  allegiance  ;  when  realizing  how  that 
history  has  also  in  a  way  repeated  itself  in  our  own  land,  largely 
colonized  by  the  exiles  of  both  parties  in  England's  civil  wars, 
and  how  a  similar  sentiment  inspired  many  good  men,  mis- 

10  Journal  of  Claude  Blanchard,  edited  by  Wm.  Duane  and  Thos.  Balch,  Albany, 
1876. 

During  the  season  of  1881,  they  were  said  by  the  Port  officials  to  be  more  con- 
tinuous than  for  sixteen  years,  and  the  whole  eastern  and  the  north-eastern  coast 
resounded  with  the  music  of  the  fog  horn,  with  little  visible  to  the  cruisers'  eye. 


158  Tories  or  Loyalists 

takenly  as  the  result  proved,  to  endeavor  to  sustain  the  exist- 
ing government ;  and  some  incidentally  to  follow  or  imitate  such 
a  leader  as  Sir  John  Johnson,  in  his  effort  to  reclaim  his  inherit- 
ance by  the  same  force  that  had  been  used  in  his  eviction.  His 
Scotch,  Irish  and  German  tenantry  and  his  Indian  allies,  whose 
memory  has  come  down  to  us  as  terrible  as  that  of  the  u  Black 
Douglas  "  with  which  babies  of  the  Border  were  once  hushed  to 
sleep,  were  the  same  appliances  long  turned  by  his  predecessor 
with  general  approval  against  the  French.  The  barbarities 
attending  his  expedition,  if  greater  than  those  recorded  in  all 
that  partisan  warfare,  may,  at  this  distance  of -time,  be  attributed 
to  the  bitter  sentiment  of  divided  neighborhood  and  broken 
friendship,  the  retaliation  of  the  exile  against  him  who  retained 
or  had  acquired  his  home. 

In  our  recent  struggle  we  learned  again  that  many  foreign 
soldiers  voluntarily  came  as  has  been  stated,  and  accepted  service 
on  either  side,  for  glory  or  for  pay,  indifferent  to  the  cause;  and 
also  that  old  neighbors  were  often  the  fiercest  opponents  when 
meeting  in  strife. 

If,  in  the  light  of  that  experience,  there  was  one  whose 
adhesion  to  the  British  Government  in  1776  appears  most 
readily  accounted  for,  it  would  seem  to  be  that  of  Sir  John 
Johnson.  His  position  as  an  officer  in  his  King's  service 
made  it  natural  to  a  soldier  ;  the  personal  honor  of  knight- 
hood from  the  King's  hand  while  in  London,  must  have 
influenced  his  sympathy,  aside  from  the  hereditary  sense  of 
gratitude  for  the  great  bounties  and  trust  conferred  on  his 
father. 

That  father  dying  in  1774  escaped  the  responsibility  which 
fell  upon  his  son.  It  is  unnecessary  to  fully  recall  the  career 


in  the  Revolution.  159 

of  Sir  William  Johnson  who  was  probably  the  most  remarkable, 
if  not  the  most  distinguished,  character  in  American  colonial 
history. 

His  coming  as  a  youth  from  Ireland  into  the  then  wild 
Mohawk  valley  as  the  agent  of  his  uncle,  Admiral  Sir  Peter 
Warren,  whose  "  great  and  veteran  service"  to  this  State,  was 
rewarded  in  part  with  the  means  to  secure  an  estate  of  15,000 
acres  named  "  Warren's  Bush  "  and  afterwards  by  the  gift  from 
the  city  of  New  York  of  a  suburban  estate — called  Chelsea,  and 
now  embedded  in  its  limits — especially  for  his  service  in  the 
capture  of  Louisburg ;"  his  succession  from  a  pioneer  planter 
and  country  store  keeper  to  the  control  of  the  Six  Nations  of 
Indians,  once  the  most  powerful  race  on  the  Northern  Amer- 
ican Continent,  who  were  likened  to  the  Romans  from  the 
extent  of  their  invasions  from  their  northern  home,  west  to  the 
Falls  of  the  Ohio,  and  south  to  the  waters  of  Carolina. 

11  The  capture  of  Louisburg,  the  key  to  Canada,  skillfully  fortified  by  a  pupil  of 
Vau'>an,  garrisoned  by  regular  French  troops,  and  also  protected  by  vessels  of  war, 
by  6,000  Provincials,  commanded  by  "  Mr.  Pepperel  a  trader  of  P'scataqua,"  as  colonel 
of  the  largest  regiment,  was  a  subject  of  world-wide  wonder  at  the  time,  and 
may  still  be  considered  as  one  of  the  great  military  achievements  on  this  continent. 
Its  conception  was  due  to  the  indefatigable  Governor  Shirley. 

THE  FOLLOWING  COMMISSION  given  by  Governor  Shirley,  when  commanding  all 
the  Forces  in  North  Arrerica,  and  signed  by  Lord  Stirling,  then  Mr.  Alexander,  a 
young  gentleman  of  fortune,  when  acquiring  as  an  amateur  the  military  knowledge 
which  lie  supplemented  by  his  gallantry,  at  the  Battle  of  Long  Island  and  in  other 
service,  shows  the  formality  with  which  Indians  were  regularly  commissioned,  and 
educated  in  the  warfare  then  waging  against  the  French,  subsequently  turned  against 
the  Colonists  whom  they  were  then  protecting.  While  the  use  of  the  Indians  was 
complained  of  by  civilized  opponents  in  both  cases,  their  employment  had  become 
habitual. 

BY  His  EXCELLENCY,  MAJOR  GENERAL  SHIRLEY,  COMMANDER-IN  CHIEF  OF  ALL 
HIS  MAJESTY'S  FORCES  IN  NORTH  AMERICA, 

To    Taiucnoe,  Greeting  : 

By  Virtue  of  the.  Power  and  Authority  to  me  Granted  by  His  Majesry  and  reposing 
especial  Trust  and  Confidence  in  your  Faithfulness,  Attachment  and  Loyalty  to  His 
most  sacred  Majesty,  King  George  the  Second.  I  do  appoint  you,  the  said  Tawenoe, 


160  Tories  or  Loyalists 

They  might  then  become  the  balance  of  power  between  the 
English  and  French  colonies,  and  are  now,  from  the  loss  of  such 
civilizing  authority  mainly  extinct,  enjoying  in  happier  hunt- 
ing grounds,  freedom  from  the  inevitable  progress  of  the  white 
man,  before  which  they  steadily  pass  away,  making  room  for 
advancing  cultivation. 

Soon,  his  acquisition  of  military  and  civil  power,  of  influence 
and  estate,  until  he  had  become  a  viceroy  in  authority,  with  a 
princely  personal  domain,  showed  a  rapid  appreciation  of  his  new 
surroundings.  His  intimate  knowledge  of  the  character  of  the 
Indians,  his  justice  and  wisdom  in  their  control*,  their  devotion 
to  him,  and  his  adaptation  to  their  customs  and  language  ;  his 
defence  of  the  French  border  and  his  expeditions  into  their 
dominions,  until  dying  a  Baronet,  a  Major  General,  and  Super- 
intendent of  Indian  affairs,  are  matters  that  should  be  familiar  to 
every  reader. 

His  home,  ''Johnson  Hall/'  was  the  theatre  of  much 
romantic  incident  connected  with  colonial  history,  and  visited 
at  intervals  by  most  of  the  distinguished  men  on  the 

to  be  Lieutenant  of  Indians  employed  in  the  present  Expedition  for  removing  the 
French  Encroachments  at  Niagara,  and  elsewhere  on  Lake  Ontario,  and  you  are 
faithfully  to  discharge  the  Duty  of  a  Lieutenant  of  the  Indians  aforesaid. 

GIVEN  under  my  Hand  and  Seal  at  Arms,  at  the  Camp  at  Oswego,  on  Lake 
Ontario,  the  first  day  of  September,  1755.  W.  SHIRLEY. 

Bv  His  Excellency's  Command, 

WM.  ALEXANDER,  &r'_y.? 

Sir  William  Pepperel  died  a  baronet,  and  his  successor  living  to  be  deprived,  his 
estate  also  passed  into  exile.  It  may  be  proper  to  mention,  as  one  of  the  historical 
doubts  which  contuse  the  reader,  that  Dr.  Dwight  has  claimed  for  General  Lyman, 
the  second  in  command,  the  principal  credit  for  the  defeat  of  Baron  Dieskau  near 
Lake  George,  by  Sir  William  Johnson  (Appendix)  with  the  New  England,  New  York 
and  New  Jersey  Provincials,  which  aided  to  relieve  the  alarm  created  by  Gen.  Brad- 
dock's  disaster,  with  another  division  of  the  army.  There  was  great  jealousy  at  this  time 
between  the  New  England  and  New  York  Provincial  Troops.  It  was  on  such 
evidences  of  their  skill  in  arms,  that  the  self  reliance  of  the  Colonists  in  the  com- 
ing struggle  was  founded. 


FROM     THE    ORIGINAL    IN   THE   COLLECTION  Or    T.8.M. 


in  the  Revolution.  161 

continent.  Their  letters  addressed  to  him  on  various  affairs  of 
state,  with  replies  showing  condensation  of  varied  intelligence, 
conveyed  in  the  graceful  penmanship  of  a  ready  writer,  are  still 
preserved  —  some  in  the  collection  referred  to — attesting  a  life 
of  labor  in  the  public  service. 

In  this  however,  he  found  opportunity  to  attend  to  many 
personal  duties,  incident  to  his  position  and  capacity.  Isolated, 
and  only  restricted  by  the  orders  of  the  Government,  which 
from  better  local  appreciation  of  necessities,  he  alone,  as  its 
agent,  had  ventured  to  disregard;  with  an  increasing  neighbor- 
hood of  many  nationalities,  English,  Scotch,  Irish,  German 
and  Hollander,  as  compatriots  or  tenantry,  appealing  to  him 
for  counsel  in  every  relation  of  life,  from  the  cradle  to  the 
grave,  he  advised  and  protected  the  living,  and  was  burthened 
with  trusts  by  the  dead,12  cheerfully  fulfilling  his  duties- to  the 
lowly  as  a  bountiful  benefactor,  and  hospitably  entertaining  them 
with  the  great,  who  resorted  to  the  hall,  when  amusing  their 
leisure  time  with  hardy  sports  and  athletic  games.  He  appears 
to  have  afforded  an  example  to  those  charged  with  the  control 
of  the  destinies  of  aggregates  of  men. 

12  The  accompanying  document  appears  worthy  of  reproduction,  as  a  pen  sketch 
affording  a  glimpse  of  this  early  backwoods  life.  As  rough  in  autographic  execution 
as  its  surroundings,  it  chances  to  place  on  one  paper  the  names,  and  to  show  the  meet- 
ing, of  some  historical  celebrities  of  border  life,  friends  soon  to  be  divided  in  strife. 
The  two  Johnsons,  General  Nicholas  "Herckmer,"  as  he  boldly  but  roughly  writes 
himself, — in  the  year  in  which  he  was  erecting  the  spacious  brick  mansion  called  his 
'•Castle",  which  survives  him  near  Little  Falls, —  destined  afterwards  to  sit  on  the 
saddle  of  his  dead  horse,  reclining  against  a  tree,  smoking  his  pipe,  and  issuing  his 
orders,  when  mortally  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  by  the  Tories  and  Indians 
of  St.  Leger  and  Sir  John.  Colonel  Peter  Schuyler,  for  a  time  acting  as  Colonial 
Governor  of  New  York,  called  "  Quider"  by  the  Mohawks,  whom  he  had  led 
successfully  against  the  French,  and  whom  they  trusted  and  loved,  and  Abraham 
Yates,  Jun.,  subsequently  an  early  Senator,  both  of  the  last  at  times  Mayors  of  the 
important  border  city  of  Albany.  With  these  are  others,  not  unknown  in  that 
local  history,  although  making  as  feeble  impression  on  their  times  as  on  the  paper, 
yet  as  necessary  as  are  the  minor  connecting  links  in  Genealogy. 


1 62  Tories  or  Loyalists 

He  devoted  much  attention  also,  to  the  erection  of 
churches  and  schools — even  selecting  with  his  intimate  knowl- 
edge of  the  Mohawk  dialect,  the  hymns  to  be  sung  — and  to  the 
education  '3  and  spiritual  welfare  of  his  savage  neighbors,  in  his 
relations  with  whom  there  was  much  to  recall  the  habits  of  the 
Patriarchs,  and  to  account  for  this  special  interest  in  their 
progress  which  was  probably  remembered  in  the  fidelity  of  four 
of  the  tribes,  the  Onondagas,  Cayugas,  Senecas  and  Mohawks, 
to  his  son,  while  the  Oneidas  alone  supported  the  Americans, 
after  vigorous  efforts  had  been  made  to  secure  them  all. 

One  of  the  latest  objects  of  his  attention  was  the  publication 
of  a  new  edition  of  the  "  Book  of  Common  Prayer,"  to  supply 
the  place  of  the  "  Mohawk  Prayer  Book"  printed  in  1715,  on 

*3  From  Rev.  Eleazer  Wheelock,  founder  and  President  of  Dartmouth  College, 
and  celebrated  for  his  success  and  usefulness  in  his  extended  labors  to  educate  and 
civilize  the  Indians.  Amongst  his  pupils  was  Joseph  Brant. 

DARTMOUTH  COLLEGE,  IN  NEW  HAMPSHIRE,  Feb.  27,  1773, 

HON.  SIR  : 

The  bearers,  Basteen  and  Lewis,  Indians  of  the  Tribe  of  Lorett,  have  been  several 
months  at  my  school,  and  have  from  the  first  appeared  to  have  an  uncommon  thirst 
for  Learning,  have  been  diligent  at  their  studies  and  have  made  good  Proficiency  for 
the  Time  therein.  They  appear  to  be  rational,  manly,  spirited,  courteous,  graceful 
and  obliging  far  beyond  what  I  have  found  common  to  Indians,  and  I  have  observed 
no  undue  appetite  in  them  for  Strong  Drink.  They  have  often  expressed  a  desire  to 
gee  your  Honor  since  they  have  lived  with  me,  and  now  at  their  Desire  I  have  con- 
sented to  their  making  you  this  Visit. 

I  tsteem  them  the  most  promising  young  Indians  I  have  ever  seen,  and  the  most 
likely  to  answer  the  great  and  good  ends  of  an  Education,  and  I  hope  their  going 
among  their  brethren  in  your  parts  will  have  no  bad  influence  to  predjudice  or 
distemper  their  minds.  I  have  ad  vised  them  to  return  as  soon  as  they  can  after  they  have 
suitably  expressed  their  duty  and  respect  to  you,  as  I  should  be  sorry  they  should  lose 
more  time  from  their  Studies  than  shall  be  needful  and  also  as  they  will  likely  have 
occasion  to  take  several  other  Journeys  soon  after  their  return.  I  wish  your  Honor 
the  Divine  Presence,  Direction  and  Blessing  in  the  important  Business  Providence  has 
assigned  you  in  Life  and  beg  leave  to  assure  you  that  I  am  with  much  Esteem  and 
Respect, 

Your  Honor's  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

ELEAZER  WHEELOCK. 

Sir   Wm.  Johnson,  Baronet. 


in  the  Revolution.  163 

Bradford's  celebrated  Press,  even  then  unobtainable  and  now  of 
great  value  as  one  of  the  rarest  of  American  books. 

Although  his  treaties  with  them  showed  the  concession  of 
great  grants  of  unoccupied  territory  to  the  King's  domain,  he 
protected  them  in  their  occupancies  and  reserved  rights  with 
a  jealous  care,  which  would  afford  a  model  for  later  "  Indian 
Agencies."  He  carried  into  effect  the  policy  which  Governor 
Dongan  had  foreshadowed,  of  keeping  the  control  of  the  Indians 
on  British  soil  and  protecting  them  from  the  zealous  Missionary 
efforts  of  their  French  neighbors,  to  consolidate  them  with 
their  own  tribes. 

Like  Lord  Chatham,  he  died  in  harness,  devoting  his  last 
hours  to  duty.  The  progress  of  prospecting  for  locations  on 
Indian  lands  was  already  active  in  1774.  Captain  Michael 
Cresap  and  Mr.  Greathead,  had  by  attendant  ravages  in  the 
valley  of  the  Ohio,  on  lands  protected  by  Treaty  obligations, 
aroused  Logan  and  other  chiefs,  friendly  to  the  whites.  It 
was  the  old  story,  with  which  we  have  been  familiar  from  youth, 
being  repeated.  The  entire  Indian  race  on  the  continent 
sympathized,  the  Six  Nations  were  preparing  to  take  arms, 
even  Johnson  trembled  at  the  prospect.  He  invited  them 
to  a  Great  Council,  and  appealed  to  their  old  relations  as  a 
guarantee  for  justice.  Sick,  when  he  entered  the  council,  he 
vehemently  addressed  them,  as  was  his  custom,  and  died  before 
the  session  was  completed  —  on  the  eleventh  of  July,  1774, 
in  his  sixtieth  year  ;  but  his  parting  words  carried  their  wonted 
influence,  and  peace  was  preserved. 

He  combined  some  of  the  characteristics  of  Nestor  with 
those  of  Ulysses,  and  surely  presents  in  his  administration  of  his 
public  trust  and  mainly  in  his  private  life,  an  example  to  those 
21 


164  Tories  or  Loyalists 

charged  with  large  duties  and  responsibilities.  In  the  plentitude 
of  his  evidences  of  his  master's  favor  and  the  pressing  variety 
of  his  occupations,  it  is  doubtful  whether  in  the  growing  disfavor 
for  the  taxes  on  stamps  or  tea,  he  found  time  even  to  consider 
the  reasons  for  a  change  of  government,  or  felt  that  a  seat  in 
Parliament  would  have  increased  his  own  importance  or  rep- 
resentative control.14 

It  is  no  reflection  upon  the  purity  of  the  motives,  or  the 
wisdom  of  the  action  of  the  fathers  of  our  country  that  such 
cases  of  those  thus  personally  impressed  with  other  views,  should 
have  existed,  but  it  is  merely  another  instance  of  the  sometimes 
honest  diversity  of  opinion  and  policy  which  has  made  the 
world  a  battle  field. 

It  may  be  assumed  that  then  as  now,  men  were  governed 
by  individuality  and  subordinated  all  to  the  duty  of  loyalty, 
combined  in  such  cases  with  a  sense  of  interest  ;  and  one  can 
easily  see  how  possessing  all  they  could  hope  for,  both  father 
and  son  struggled  to  retain  it,  as  would  now  the  holder  of  a 
similar  valuable  estate,  franchise,  or  monopoly,  against  legislative 
absorbtion,  opposing  opinion,  or  even  suggested  amendment. 

We  see,  even  in  the  peaceful  walks  of  life,  one  man  of  other- 
wise noble  character,  loose  self  control  in  asserting  a  grievance 
or  supporting  a  right  against  another,  where  both  are  honest, 
and  one,  inevitably  wrong.  Such  material,  when  aggregated 
even  for  social  purposes,  will  at  times  divide  in  sentiment,  and 
struggle  in  a  ballot,  to  decide  what  is  humane  or  right  or  what 
is  regular,  and  by  the  vote  of  the  majority,  produce  a  result 
in  suppressing  without  altering  a  deeply  seated  conviction. 

**  It  does  not  appear  that  he  ever  revisited  England,  as  was  asserted,  but  it  may  be 
recalled  that  he  was  the  first  white  man —  borne  b\  the  Indians  on  a  litter — who 
resorted  to  the  "  Saratoga  Springs"  for  medicinal  relief. 


in  the  Revolution.  165 

Such  differences  are  apparently  but  miniature  representations 
of  the  elements  aggregated  in  civil  war.  A  reference  to  a  disin- 
terested party  has  often  remedied  the  one  as  a  mediation  may 
avoid  the  other. 

John  Bright,  that  life  long  advocate  of  peace,  who  has  lived 
through  many  wars,  has  recently  presented  a  remedy  against 
their  recurrence.  "  The  policy  and  aspect  of  our  country 
and  of  the  world  will  be  changed,  if  the  demon  war  is  confined 
to  the  cases  in  which  there  seems  to  Christian  and  rational 
men  no  escape  from  the  miseries  it  inflicts  on  mankind." 
This  seems  a  glittering  generality  only,  until  it  can  be  dis- 
covered bow  the  passion  and  perhaps  the  ignorance  by  which  it 
is  generally  incited  can  be  induced  —  best  before  any  use  of 
violence  —  to  submit  to  such  proper  arbitration,  and  then  who 
would  be  admitted  to  be  "  rational  men  "  by  any  usual  method 
of  selection. 

At  least  the  position  of  those  who  sustained  the  existing  govern- 
ment at  the  Revolution  would  not  appear  to  have  been  open  to 
any  such  solution.  A  large  body  of  the  people  had  finally 
settled  upon  a  new  form,  to  which  all  must  submit,  without 
reference  to  former  complication,  interest,  or  ties.  There  was 
no  intermediate  course,  nor  opportunity  to  temporize,  espe- 
cially for  one  prominent  from  position. 

The  "  Tory  "  then  fought  for  his  sovereign  and  the  existing 
laws,  often  after  years  of  resistance  to  their  exactions  in  every 
appeal  but  that  of  arms,  as  distasteful  then  as  now.  The  con- 
servative element  had  favored  to  the  last,  endurance  to  con- 
test, of  which  property  and  business  were  to  bear  the  cost. 
Many,  even  of  the  leading  patriots  of  the  Revolution  during  its 
progress  gave  their  testimony,  that  they  did  not  at  its  outset  con- 
template separation,  but  only  to  urge  concession  by  the  threat 


1 66  Tories  or  Loyalists 

supported  by  force  ;  some  of  them  favored  mutual  conciliation 
to  the  end,  most  prayed  for  peace. 

We  have  been  educated  to  consider  the  action  of  those  who 
were  satisfied  with  the  existing  government  in  1776,  as  well  as 
that  of  those  who  had  realized  and  sought  for  peaceful  redress 
from  grievances,and  when  they  culminated  in  war  adhered  to  their 
old  flag,  indiscriminately,  as  absolutely  indefensible ;  to  apply 
to  all  of  them  the  epithet  tc  Tory,"  as  equivalent  to  "  Traitor," 
and  to  forget  that  the  even  worse  detested  "  Hessian  "  was  only 
an  involuntary  German  soldier  in  jackboots  and  bearded,  then 
unusual  in  America,  whose  sword  was  again  sold  under  treaty 
obligations,  by  his  Hereditary  Prince  to  a  kinsman,  King  George 
III,  in  that  war.  We  have  not  cared  to  recognize  his  hostility 
to  us  as  compulsory,  his  presence  that  of  the  involuntary  victim 
of  an  obnoxious  custom  in  the  old  World,  and  that  he  was  of 
the  same  race  —  and  if  an  officer,  of  its  educated  and  then 
privileged  class — famed  from  the  period  of  Charlemagne  in  the 
battle  fields  of  the  world,  for  their  achievements,  among  the 
more  recent  of  which  we  can  now  recall  their  instrumentality- — 
including  the  death  of  two  Princes  of  Brunswick — in  the  earlier 
conflicts,  in  the  overthrow  of  two  Emperors  of  the  Bonaparte 
dynasty,  and  its  suppression. 

The  Tory  was  not  allowed  to  remain  after  the  Revolution 
had  succeeded,  to  submit  to  the  result  of  what  he  had  from 
habit  and  education  rejected,  when  pressed  upon  him  by  arms. 

It  would  seem  to  be  improper,  after  the  expiration  of  a  cen- 
tury, to  question  the  action  of  the  brave  men — carefully  selected 
to  represent  the  popular  sentiment,  and  clearly  influenced 
by  more  than  usual  intelligence  —  as  to  their  policy  in  the 
smallest  detail,  in  securing  our  national  existence,  or  to  believe 
that  they  could  have  acted  in  this  important  particular,  without 


in  the  Revolution.  167 

a  better   knowledge  than  we  can  even  yet  appreciate,  of  their 
position  and  of  their  necessities. 

We  know  that  our  country  was  exhausted  in  men  and  means 
when  the  contest  ended,15  that  the  British  lion  had  retreated 

JS  The  following  copied  from  a  signed  duplicate  original,  shows  the  necessity  of  the 
government,  the  relative  ability  of  the  States,  and  the  changes  in  their  sub- 
sequent progress. 

BY  THE  UNITED  STATES,  IN  CONGRESS  ASSEMBLED. 

September  4,  1782. 

On  the  report  of  a  General  Committee,  consisting  of  a  member  from  each  state, 

Resolved,  That  one  million  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  has  been  quotaed  on  the 
States  as  absolutely  and  immediately  necessary  for  payment  of  the  interest  on  the 
public  debt  j  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  Legislatures  of  the  respective  States, 
to  lay  such  taxes  as  shall  appear  to  them  most  proper  and  effectual  for  immediately 
raising  their  quota  of  the  above  sum. 

Resolved,  That  the  money  so  raised  in  each  State,  shall  be  applied  towards  paying 
the  interest  due  on  certificates  issued  from  the  loan  office  of  each  State,  and  other 
liquidated  debts  of  the  United  States  contracted  therein,  before  any  part  thereof  shall 
be  paid  into  the  public  treasury. 

Ordered,  That  the  foregoing  Resolutions  be  referred  to  the  Grand  Committee,  to 
assess  and  report  the  quota  of  each  State. 

Sept.  10,  1782. 
On  the  report  of  the  Grand  Committee  : 

Resolved,  That  S>  1,200,000  to  be  raised  for  the  payment  of  the  interest  of  the 
domestic  debt  of  the  United  States,  be  appropriated  to  the  several  States,  according 
to  the  following  quotas,  viz  : 

New  Hampshire,  $48,000 

Massachusetts,  192,000 

Rhode  Island,  28,800 

Connecticut,  133,200 

New  York,  54,000 

New  Jersey,  66,000 

Pennsylvania,  180,000 

Delaware,  1 6,800 

Maryland,  132,000 

Virginia.  174,000 

North  Carolina,  88,800 

South  Carolina,  72,000 

Georgia,  14,400 


$1,200,000 

(Signed),  CHAS.  THOMPSON, 

Secretary. 


1 68  Tories  or  Loyalists 

grimly,  still  holding  his  Canadian  territory  as  a  lair,  which  could 
be  used  after  the  repose  he  also  needed,  as  a  base  for  the  concen- 
tration of  another  effort,  perhaps  including  the  Loyalists  and 
exchanged  Hessian  prisoners.  That  the  private  contributions 
made  in  England  to  aid  the  government,  after  the  capture  of 
Burgoyne,  might  be  renewed  and  concert  increased,  after  the 
surrender  of  Cornwallis,  inspired  by  national  chagrin.  They 
perhaps  felt  that  a  Preliminary  Peace  wrung  from  a  mortified 
enemy,  was  really  a  truce,  depending  on  England's  adjustment 
of  her  difficulties  with  France.  That  the  forces  of  that  ally, 
had  hurried  the  attack  upon  Yorktown,  to  seek  new  laurels  in 
the  West  Indies,  and  might  never  return,  and  that  even  Defin- 
itive Treaties  had  often  been  broken. 

Even  after  that  Peace,  they  probably  doubted  its  continuance 
—  as  was  justified  by  the  war  of  i8i2l6  —  and  from  these 
considerations,  looked  upon  the  continued  presence  of  the  Tory 
element  as  likely  to  prove  a  lasting  danger. 

A  reference  to  "  Sabine's  Loyalists"  will  readily  show,  in  the 
records  of  many  of  them  in  the  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  wars, 
that  they  were  largely  men  of  military  experience*7  and  the  ques- 

16  In  his  "Campaigns  of  the  War  of  1812  and  15,"  recently  published,  General 
Cullum  —  who  will  be  remembered  by  posterity  for  his  life  labor  in  recording  the 
military  records  of  all  of  the  graduates  of  the  military  academy  —  throws  much  light 
on  a  dark  subject.  Intending  to  do  justice  to  the  officers  of  his  own  —  the  Engineer 
corps,  he  has  apparently  afforded  the  best  account  of  the  strategic  failure  of  a  war 
gallantly  fought  in  the  field,  but  so  disgracefully  managed  in  the  Bureau,  as  to  leave 
an  impression,  in  many  competent  minds,  that  it  was  intended  to  be  a  failure,  to 
avoid  the  annexation  of  Canada,  then  by  reason  of  the  scarcity  of  British  Troops 
and  other  circumstances  apparently  possible. 

*7  The  "  Letters  from  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  Governor  General  of  Canada, 
&c.,"  published  by  Almon,  in  London,  in  1777,  in  the  heat  of  the  controversy  — 
and  at  once  declared,  even  in  Parliament,  to  contain  predictions  manufactured  after 
the  results  were  verified  —  are  still  a  subject  of  discussed  authenticity,  although 
mainly  settled  by  recent  developments  by  Francis  Parlcman  and  others,  to  have  been 
simulated.  At  least  they  appear  to  contain  a  valuable  cotemporary  view  of  the 
condition  of  the  then  Colonies,  the  material  of  their  population,  and  the  probability 
of  their  speedily  turning  their  arms  against  their  mother  country,  when  the  danger 
of  the  French  as  a  hostile  neighbor  was  removed. 


in  the  Revolution.  169 

tion  for  the  victors  to  pass  upon,  was  whether  a  cordial  acceptance 
of  the  result  of  their  recent  overthrow  could  be  relied  upon, 
and  a  new  allegiance  could  divest  them  of  their  old  attachment 
or  entirely  subordinate  them  to  the  impressions  and  duties, 
necessary  to  reliable  citizenship. 

It  has  been  claimed,  that  as  they  included  in  their  number 
many  large  holders  of  property,  and  that  its  forfeiture  —  on 
which  new  fortunes  were  speedily  founded — the  release  of 
debts  and  arrears  before  the  war,  to,  and  the  cancelling  of 
contracts  with  them,  were  also  used  as  influences  against  an 
amnesty  on  even  severe  conditions,18  such  as  had  usually  then 
been  extended  to  the  Indians,  after  their  conquest,  by  most  of 
the  colonies. 

It  was  said  by  Addison,  that  "a  man  of  merit  in  a  different 
principle,  is  like  an  object  seen  in  two  different  mediums,  that 
appears  crooked  and  broken,  however  straight  and  entire  it  may 
be  in  itself.  For  this  reason  there  is  scarcely  a  person  of  figure 
in  England,  who  does  not  go  by  two  contrary  characters,  as 
opposite  to  one  another  as  light  and  darkness." 

18  The  severity  of  an  indiscriminate  confiscation  was  early  recognized.  In  the 
preliminary  Treaty  of  Peace,  formulated  at  Versailles  on  the  zoth  of  January,  1783, 
negotiated  by  Adams,  Franklin,  Jay  and  Henry  Laurens,  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States  —  all  illustrious  citizens  and  principally  foreign  ministers  —  the  only  represent- 
ative of  Great  Britain  was  Richard  Oswald,  a  merchant  of  London,  selected  alone 
to  represent  her,  without  ihe  ceremony  attending  happier  negotiations  and 
probably  with  a  view  to  his  acceptability  to  those  he  was  to  meet,  as  having 
lately  bailed  Mr.  Laurens  from  the  Tower  when  captured  at  sea,  on  his  way  to  his 
Mission  at  the  Hague.  By  that  Treaty,  condensed  in  nine  brief  stipulations,  in 
Article  v,  "It  is  agreed  that  the  Congress  shall  earnestly  recommend  it  to  the  Legis- 
latures of  the  respective  States,  to  provide  for  the  restitution  of  all  estates,  rights  and 
properties  of  persons  resident  in  districts,  in  the  possession  of  his  Majesty's  arms,  and 
who  have  not  borne  arms  against  the  said  United  States.  And  that  persons,  of  any 
other  description,  shall  have  free  liberty  to  go  into  any  part  or  parts  of  any  of  the  Thir- 
teen United  States,  and  therein  to  remain  twelve  months  unmolested  in  their  endeavors 
to  obtain  the  restitution  of  each  of  their  estates,  rights  and  properties,  as  may  have 
been  confiscated  ;  and  that  Congress  shall  also  earnestly  recommend  to  the  several  states 


170  Tories  or  Loyalists 

It  may  be  noticed  that  the  persons  here  incidentally  alluded  to, 
may  be  mostly  classed  as  persons  of  figure  at  the  period  and 
that  Addison's  impression  was  as  applicable  to  the  colonies  as 
to  the  mother  country.  The  customs  of  the  one  had  been 
early  introduced  into  the  other,  in  the  habits  of  life,  and  the 
adoption  of  many  of  the  ideas  and  principles  which  governed  at 
home. 

The  acquisition  of  land  has  been  as  we  know,  from  the 
earliest  period  one  of  the  most  marked  instincts  of  man.  None 
knew  better  than  the  settlers  the  traditional  influence  attending 
land  secured  by  entail,  as  the  basis  of  the  perpetuation  of  families 
at  home,  and  many  younger  sons  and  connections  of  such 
privileged  owners  were  then  amongst  the  first  comers.  Nor 
were  they  slow  after  their  arrival  in  seeking  for  similar  endow- 
ments. A  vast  area  of  readily  productive  land,  forests,  fisheries 
and  mines,  lay  open  to  new  colonists  ;  and  facile  governors,  sent 
generally  by  favor,  to  better  their  estates  —  at  least  before  dis- 
sensions demanded  more  efficient  selections  —  were  ready  to 
promote  grants  of  crown  lands,  and  even  manors  with  some 

a  reconsideration  and  revision  of  the  acts  and  laws  regarding  the  premises,  so  as  to 
render  the  said  laws  or  acts  perfectly  consistent,  not  only  with  justice  and  equity,  but 
with  the  spirit  of  conciliation,  which  on  the  return  of  the  blessings  of  peace  should 
universally  prevail.  And  that  Congress  shall  also  earnestly  recommend  to  the 
several  States,  that  the  estates,  rights  and  properties  of  such  last  mentioned  persons, 
shall  be  restored  to  them,  they  refunding  to  any  persons  who  may  be  now  in  posses- 
sion, the  bona  fida  price  (where  any  has  been  given)  which  such  persons  may  have 
paid  on  purchasing  any  of  said  lands  or  properties,  since  the  confiscation.  And  it  is 
agreed,  That  all  persons  who  have  any  interest  in  confiscated  lands,  either  by  debts, 
marriage  settlements,  or  otherwise,  shall  meet  with  no  legal  impediment  in  the 
prosecution  of  their  just  rights."  It  was  also  agreed  by  Article  vi,  "That  there  shall 
be  no  future  confiscations  made,  nor  any  prosecutions  commenced  against  any  person 
or  persons  for,  or  by  reason  of  the  part  which  he  or  they  may  have  taken  in  the 
present  war,  and  that  no  person  shall,  on  that  account,  surfer  any  future  loss  or 
damage,  either  in  his  person,  liberty  or  property,  and  that  those  who  may  be  in 
confinement  on  such  charge  at  the  time  of  the  ratification  of  the  Treaty  in  America, 
shall  be  immediately  set  at  liberty,  and  the  prosecution  so  commenced  be  discontinued." 


in  the  Revolution.  171 

feudal  privileges,  induced  by  the  eking  out  of  a  small  salary  by 
the  considerable  fees  attending  the  entries,  and  often, —  as 
existing  written  evidence  proves  —  by  a  concealed  interest  with 
the  grantee.  To  the  foundation  of  such  granted  or  purchased 
estates  followed  their  division  and  use  by  tenants,  or  distribu- 
tion by  sale.  There  were  many  monopolies,  similarly  procured, 
soon  also  available  as  sources  of  wealth  and  as  the  crops  and 
productions  of  the  land,  the  mines,  the  timber,  the  naval  stores, 
and  the  fisheries  increased,  and  their  development  and  control 
by  merchants  and  shippers  accumulated  wealth,  there  followed 
naturally  the  introduction  of  every  luxury  and  appliance,  custom 
and  habit  of  life,  used  by  the  privileged  class  in  the  mother 
country. 

The  military  and  civil  service  brought  out  many  cadets 
of  English  families,  to  find  a  permanent  home  by  settlement 
or  marriage.  As  England  was  politically  an  aristocracy, 
the  colonies  as  a  part  of  it,  imitated  its  habits  and  fostered  its 
restrictions.  It  has  been  claimed  that  with  many  who  had 
acquired  the  convexity  of  affluence,  and  aspired  to  position,  the 
exclusion  from  the  higher  offices,  and  the  precedence  on  a  state 
occasion,  accorded  to  some  stripling  subaltern  in  a  crimson  coat, 
was  a  grievance  harder  to  be  borne  than  taxation.  With  pros- 
perity and  wealth  came  the  desire  for  education,  and  that  culti- 
vation which  should  confer  on  their  children  some  of  the  ad- 
vantages which  they  had  seen  accorded,  to  the  scions  of  those 
privileged  families  at  home. 

The  schools  of  Eton  and   Harrow,  and   the  Universities   of 
Oxford  and  Cambridge,  were  filled  with  young  Americans,  who, 
while  studying   the   humanities,  were   naturally    comparing  the 
22 


172  Tones  or  Loyalists 

political  privileges  which  surrounded  them,  with  those  of  their 
home. 

Those  in  London,  during  the  period  of  the  dissensions  referred 
to,  watched  the  progress  of  events  in  the  galleries  of  Parliament 
and  studied  statesmanship  there,  often  with  their  profession  in 
the  purlieus  of  the  Temple  and  the  Inns  of  Court,  both  indis- 
pensible  in  the  coming  events  in  that  distant  home.  Probably 
in  their  social  intercourse  they  felt  the  sense  of  inferiority  as 
colonists,  impressed  upon  them  by  the  home  born  young  Britons, 
ever  conscious  of  national  and  often  of  personal  superiority  — 
with  whom  they  were  associated,  and  already  dreamed  of  political 
and  social  equality.19 

Their  home  constituency,  combining  a  large  element  of 
veterans  taught  to  wield  arms  in  the  border  wars,  conscious 
of  their  power  ;  and  of  those  devoted  to  the  pursuits  of 
peace,  conceded  in  the  selection  for  such  offices  as  were 
left  to  their  choice,  the  claims  of  superior  education  and  larger 
opportunity  for  the  study  of  public  affairs ;  for  in  those  days, 
the  place  sought  the  man  as  generally  as  in  the  present,  men  seek 
the  place.  As  an  example,  Edward  Rutledge,  Thomas  Hay- 
ward,  Jr.,  Thomas  Lynch,  Jr.,  and  Arthur  Middleton,  all  early 
movers  for  redress  from  grievances,  members  from  South  Car- 
olina of  the  early  Congresses,  and  its  Signers  of  the  Declaration, 

*9  An  amusing  instance  of  the  social  line  then  drawn,  is  given  by  Col.  Stone. 
When  William,  an  half  breed  —  supposed  to  be  Sir  William's  boy,  and  an  associate 
of  young  Brant  at  Dr.  Wheelock's  school,  was  directed  by  his  instructor's  son  to 
saddle  a  horse,  he  refused,  saying  be  ivas  not  a  Gentleman.  When  asked  to  define 
what  a  gentleman  was,  he  replied,  "  a  person  who  keeps  race  horses  and  drinks 
Madeira  wine,  and  that  is  what  neither  you  nor  your  father  do."  It  is  not  probable 
that  this  impression  originated  with  the  boy,  but  it  suggests  whether  the  keeping  of 
too  many  race  horses,  and  the  drinking  of  too  much  Madeira,  may  not  have  been 
one  of  the  causes  of  the  distinction  he  describes  finding  its  decadence  in  the  progress 
of  events  and  the  development  of  new  elements  of  citizenship,  rapidly  dividing 
property  and  power  with  -these  earlier  comers. 


in  the  Revolution.  173 

were,  with  Charles  Coatesworth  Pinckney,  John  Laurens  and 
many  others  early  in  the  field  from  that,  and  a  large  number 
who  served  in  both  from  other  Colonies  —  recently  educated 
in  England. 

The  Congress  that  declared  the  country  free,  which  was 
probably  as  representative  of  the  ability  of  the  American  people 
as  any  that  succeeded  it,  was,  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
day,  composed  of  such  "men  of  figure"  in  the  colonies  as  the 
people  at  the  time,  considered  best  suited  to  protect  their  common 
interest.  The  Clergy,  Lawyers,  Doctors,  Judges,  Magistrates, 
Planters  and  prosperous  Merchants  and  Manufacturers  were 
mainly  its  material ;  there  was  an  entire  absence  of  those  who 
devoted  themselves  to  politics  or  agitation  professionally. 

Perhaps  the  difference  of  sentiment,  which  soon  divided  the 
people  in  arms,  may  be  illustrated  by  hastily  referring  to  the 
career  of  one  member  of  that  celebrated  body,  who,  while 
occupying  in  many  particulars  the  same  position  as  the  John- 
sons, was  overwhelmed  and  mainly  forgotten  in  the  ruin  he 
brought  upon  himself,  in  the  honest  assertion  of  antipodal  con- 
victions. 

Richard  Stockton,  of  New  Jersey,  would  appear  to  have 
been  symmetrically,  in  every  relation,  such  a  "  person  of 
figure."  Born  at  Princeton,  in  1730,  on  the  extended  estate  of 
his  fathers,  carefully  educated  as  his  position  justified,  and  his 
natural  abilities  made  easy,  he  graduated  at  Nassau  Hall,  in 
1748,  under  the  tutelage  of  President  Burr.  When  fitted  by 
professional  training,  he  readily  asserted  his  position,  as  one  of 
the  ablest  of  a  distinguished  bar.  The  cultivation  of  his  mind, 
is  said  to  have  kept  pace  with  that  of  a  graceful  and  attractive 
person,  physically  fitted  for  endurance  and  superiority  in  all 


174-  Tories  or  Loyalists 

manly  enterprises.  While  doing  the  honors  of  his  stately  home, 
with  a  broad  hospitality  and  benevolence,  aided  by  a  wife  to 
whom  he  was  devoted,  he  had  adorned  it  with  many  objects 
of  interest,  including  one  of  the  finest  libraries  in  the  colonies. 
He  combined  an  interest  in  all  that  affected  the  public,  with 
an  appreciation  of  every  social  pleasure,  uniting  in  the  gayeties 
of  the  little  Viceregal  Court  of  his  Governor,  Sir  William 
Franklin,20  while  already  considering  the  grievances  charged 
against  his  delegated  action.  He  is  claimed  by  his  honorable 
character,  and  sympathetic  manners,  to  have  earned  the  ap- 
preciation of  all.  Devoting  his  leisure  to  the  improvement  of 
his  mind,  body  and  estate,  on  the  latter  he  bred  the  choicest 
horses  and  cattle,  he  was  celebrated  for  his  mount  as  well 
as  for  his  seat,  for  his  skill  as  a  marksman,  and  in  such 

30  Governor  Franklin  was  a  protege  of  Lord  Bute,  by  whose  influence  and  that  of 
his  father —  when  courted  by  the  administration  —  he  was  created  Governor  of  New 
Jersey  without  any  marked  service  above  that  of  a  captain  in  the  French  War. 
On  his  release  he  returned  to  Europe.  His  more  memorable  father  who  could  con- 
trol lightning  failed  in  influencing  the  loyaltj  of  his  son. 

In  many  particulars  there  was  a  similarity  between  the  position  and  treatment  of 
Governor  Franklin  and  Sir  John  Johnson  in  this  year.  The  following  letter  is 
copied  from  the  original  and  shows  the  action  of  Congress. 

PHILADELPHIA,  Junt  24,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Your  Favor  respecting  the  proper  measures  to  be  taken  with  your 
late  Governor,  William  Franklyn,  Esq.,  came  to  Hand  on  Saturday  the  22.d  inst. 
But  as  the  Congress  did  not  sit  on  that  Day  I  could  not  lay  it  before  them  till 
Monday.  1  now  do  myself  the  Honour  of  enclosing  to  you  the  Resolve  of  Congress 
which  they  .have  this  day  passed  with  Regard  to  the  Treatment  of  him.  You  will 
therefore  perceive  the  Congress  have  directed  him  to  be  sent  to  Connecticut  under  a 
guard.  I  shall  write  to  Gov.  Trumbull  to  treat  him  as  a  Prisoner  should  he  refuse 
to  give  his  Parole  in  Writing. 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be  Gentlemen  your  most 

obed't  and  very  humble  serv't. 

JOHN  HANCOCK, 

Presitft. 

The  other  resolves  herewith  transmitted,  are  of  such  a  Nature  that  no  arguments 
are  necessary  to  enforce  them.  You  will  be  pleased  to  attend  to  them  as  soon  as 
possible. 

Hobble  Convention  of  New  ycrsey. 


in  the  Revolution.  175 

athletic  sports  as  are  now  supplemented  by  polo,  lawn  tennis, 
boating  and  ball  matches,  in  which  pleasure  is  realized 
through  exertion.  Such  pursuits  and  pastimes  of  his  lesser 
existence,  were  with  him  only  the  oil  applied  to  the  machinery 
of  an  earnest  life  ! 

In  1766,  he  "  made  his  tour,5'  as  was  customary  then  as 
now,  spending  two  years  in  Enghnd,  cultivating  the  ac- 
quaintance of  public  men  to  whom  his  access  was  easy, 
obtaining  an  audience  by  the  young  King,  who  graciously 
received  him,  and  communing  with  some  leaders,  with 
whom  he  was  destined  to  hold  early  intercourse,  and  to  whom 
he,  even  then,  probably  imparted  his  growing  apprehensions. 
In  an  unpublished  letter,  written  in  London  in  that  year  to  his 
wife  —  one  of  the  few  relics  of  his  then  impending  ruin,  which 
survive  in  the  hands  of  his  family,  and  which  Dr.  Emmet 
thoughtfully  directed  to  be  fac-similed  —  he  says,  tl  I  have  had 
a  perfect  state  of  health  since  I  left  you,  blessed  be  God 
Almighty,  and  let  me  tell  you  that  all  the  Elegance  and 
Grandeur  I  have  yet  seen  in  these  Kingdoms,  in  different 
families  where  I  have  been  received,  serves  but  to  increase  the 
pleasure  I  have  for  some  years  enjoyed  in  my  Domestick  con- 
nections. I  see  not  a  sensible,  obliging,  tender  wife,  but  the 
Image  of  my  dear  Emelia,  is  full  in  view.  I  see  not  a  haughty 
ignorant  imperious  dame,  but  I  rejoice  that  the  partner  of  my 
life  is  so  much  her  opposite.  But  why  need  I  talk  so  gallantly  ? 
You  knew  me  long  ago,  as  well  as  you  would  should  I  write  a 
volume  on  this  endearing  topic." 

The  fitness  of  a  man  so  constituted  and  prepared  for 
public  usefulness,  was  not  then  long  overlooked.  Returning 
in  1768,  he  was  named  for  a  seat  in  the  Council  of  the  colony — 


176  Tories  or  Loyalists 

at  the  time  an  honored  place,  and,  in  1774,  elevated  to  the 
Supreme  Bench,  acquitting  himself  with  credit  in  each  position. 
When  he  saw  the  political  clouds  which  he  had  carefully 
watched,  about  to  break,  he  had  prepared  himself  by  study  of 
precedents,  and  communion  with  wise  men,  for  the  result,  and 
made  every  effort  to  avert  it.  The  annexed  appeal,  copied 
from  the  original  draft  —  written  with  a  firm  and  graceful 
cfiirography,  but  in  ink  as  faded  by  time  as  any  general  memory 
of  his  service  —  expressing  the  result  of  such  conclusion  in 
dignified  and  manly  terms,  and  showing  by  its  impersonal  form, 
the  writer's  appreciation  of  the  etiquette,  which  prevented  a 
direct  interference  with  public  affairs  beyond  his  control  — 
was  submitted  to  the  minister  without  concealment  of  author- 
ship or  the  avoidance  of  responsibility,  by  the  hand  of  a 
friend.21 

"  AN  EXPEDIENT  FOR  THE  SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  AMERICAN  DISPUTES  humbly  sub- 
mitted ("  offered"  erased  )  to  the  consideration  of  his  Majesty's  Ministers,  by  an 
American. 


The  State  of  American  Affairs  is  so  badly  alarming  at  this  time,  that  any  real  friend 
to  the  British  Empire,  ought  to  suggest  every  probable  expedient  that  occurs  to  him, 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  unhappy  disputes  between  Great  Britain  and  the 
Colonies  — to  give  the  following  suggestions  their  due  weight,  it  must  be  premised — 
ist.  That  the  several  North  American  Colonies,  from  New  Hampshire  to  South 
Carolina  inclusive,  are  able  to  furnish  500,000  fighting  men  ;  who  are  in  general  as 
fit  for  service  as  the  English  Militia,  and  many  of  them  much  more  so,  having  been 
in  active  service  in  the  last  war.  znd.  That  the  great  body  of  the  people  of  these 
several  Colonies  are  now  (  even  to  the  astonishment  of  many  Colonists  themselves  ) 
perfectly  united  in  a  determinate  opposition  to  the  authority  of  the  British  Parliament  as  to 
all  internal  Taxation.  3d.  That  there  is  not  the  least  remaining  doubt,  if  the 
British  Government  should  proceed  to  put  the  late  Acts  of  Parliament,  respecting 
the  Massachusetts  Bay  (or  any  other  Acts  which  involve  the  Idea  of  an  absolute 
uncontrollable  power  in  the  British  Parliament  over  the  Colonies)  ;  into  execution,  by 
force,  but  that  the  said  Colonies  would  unite  by  attempting  to  repel,  force  by  force.  To 
which  may  be  added,  what  is  as  well  or  perhaps  better  known  in  Great  Britain  than  in 
America,  to  wit  :  4th.  That  the  certain  consequences  of  this  unnatural  war  will  be 
dreadful  to  both  Great  Britain  and  America,  and  the  probable  effects  thereof  may  be 
fatal  to  the  whole  British  Empire.  Matters  standing  thus  and  the  three  first  proposi- 
tions above  premised  being  founded  upon  the  most  indubitable  facts  (  of  which  the 
writer  of  this  from  his  general  acquaintance  with  America,  is  perhaps  as  competent  a 


in  the  Revolution.  177 

Such  remonstrances,  made  in  and  out  of  Parliament  by  the 
friends  of  America,  desirous  of  preserving  with  honor  its  early 
institutions,  failed  to  attract  attention,  and  the  storm  of  oppo- 
sition to  them  finally  burst.  Stockton  had  already  selected  his 
course  and  indifferent  to  office,  personal  exemption,  or  private 

judge  as  any  man  whatever),  it  is  humbly  proposed  to  his  Majesty's  Ministers  whether 
it  would  not  be  proper,  ist.  That  a  royal  Instruction  be  immediately  obtained  and 
sent  over  to  the  several  Governors  of  the  North  American  Colonies  requesting  them 
forthwith  to  recommend  it  to  their  several  Assemblies  to  pass,  and  to  give  their  own 
assent  to  an  Act  which  may  be  passed  by  the  Legislatures  of  several  Provinces, 
comprising  certain  Commissioners  therein  to  be  named  to  repair  to  England,  with 
power  to  confer  with  his  Majesty's  Ministers,  or  with  Commissioners  to  be  appointed 
by  Parliament,  respecting  the  grand  points  in  dispute  between  Great  Britain  and 
America,  and  finally  to  determine  thereupon.  2nd.  That  to  prevent  all  disputes  in 
future,  the  said  American  Commissioners  be  also  empowered  to  confer  and  agree  with 
the  British  Commissioners  respecting  the  future  Government  and  regulation  of  the 
Colonies,  either  by  framing  one  general  system  of  Government  for  all  the  Colonies 
on  the  Continent  similar  to  the  British,  or  by  making  some  material  alteration  in 
the  present  mode  of  Provincial  Government.  In  either  of  which  systems,  some 
effectual  provision  may  be  made  for  the  adequate  support  of  the  American  Government 
by  the  Americans  themselves,  and  also  for  the  payment  of  all  such  sums  of  money  as 
may  become  due  from  America  to  Great  Britain  for  the  assistance  of  her  Fleets  and 
Army.  These  determinations  of  the  said  Commissioners  to  be  subjected  nevertheless, 
to  such  alteration  as  the  wisdom  of  his  Majesty  and  his  Parliament  of  Great  Britain 
may  make  therein,  and  as  shall  be  agreed  to  by  the  several  Provincial  Legislatures. 
3d.  That  upon  such  instructions  being  given  to  the  several  Governors,  his  Majesty  to 
be  advised  in  his  royal  clemency,  to  recommend  it  to  his  Parliament  to  suspend  the 
operation  of  the  Boston  Port  Acts,  while  the  determination  of  the  said  Commissioners 
should  be  had.  The  author  of  the  above  hints  offers  them  with  all  humility,  and 
with  great  diffidence  of  his  own  ability  on  so  great  and  national  a  question.  But  some 
expedient  must  be  immediately  fallen  upon,  or  "we  shall  be  involved  in  a  Civil  War,  the 
most  obstinate,  awful  and  tremendous  that  perhaps  ever  occurred  since  the  Creation  of  the 
World.  He  will  esteem  it  a  signal  blessing  of  Divine  Providence  conferred  upon 
him,  if  any  one  Idea  he  hath  suggested  may  be  of  any  use  at  this  dreadful  crisis. 
And  if  otherwise,  he  will  at  least  be  able  to  comfort  himself  with  the  uprightness  of 
his  intentions  in  this  feeble  attempt,  and  with  the  assurance  that  he  can  do  no  harm, 
either  to  himself  or  any  other  person. 
December  12,  1774. 


Endorsed  by  the  writer —  on  this  the  corrected  draught — "  Hints  transmitted  to 
Lord  Dartmouth,  Secretary  of  State  for  America,  through  the  hands  of  Samuel  Smith, 
Esq.,  of  London,  Merchant." 


THIS  APPEAL,  and  many  similar  ones  we  know,  were  made  in  vain  to  a  govern- 
ment impressed  by  unwise  counsels,  and  a  King  who  declared  ''That  the  American! 
meant  only  to  amuse  by  vague  expressions  of  attachment  and  the  strongest  professioni 


178  Tories  or  Loyalists 

interest,  accepted  a  seat  in  the  then  rebel  Congress.  While 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  being  considered,  he 
listened  in  silence,  and  with  profound  attention  to  the  debate, 
but  with  a  grave  face  and  a  sad  heart,22  when  under  later 
usages,  a  member  who  had  determined  to  risk  his  life  for  the 
benefit  of  his  "  constituency,"  might  have  suggested  some 
trifling  amendment,  to  remind  them  at  once  of  his  presence  at 
an  important  crisis,  and  the  superior  grasp  of  his  intellect  to 
that  of  the  illustrious  committee  who  reported  it.  It  has  been 
suggested  that  the  Congress  of  1776,  was  limited  in  its  mem- 
bership to  men  whose  merit  had  been  recognized  'in  the  ad- 
ministration of  their  own  private  interests  and  duties,  a  valued 
experience  to  those  assuming  a  public  trust.  Many  of  them 
had  shown  this  also  in  the  colonial  assemblies,  where  the  honor 
had  compensated  for  the  expense,  beyond  the  trifling  allow- 
ance. When  the  proper  moment  arrived  he  signed  it,  accepted 
it  as  the  chart  by  which  he  was  fated  to  sail  to  his  personal 
shipwreck,  overwhelmed  while  aiding  to  secure  the  privileges 
we  enjoy. 

In  devoting  himself  to  the  cause,  he  declined  the  honors  offered 
to  him,  to  compensate  for  those  he  had  sacrificed.  On  a  tie 
vote,  between  himself  and  William  Livingston — another  de- 
voted and  able  patriot — on  the  first  election  for  governor,  he  de- 
clined further  contest  with  so  worthy  a  man,  and  also  refused  the 
Chief  Justiceship,  probably  won  by  his  magnanimity.  With 

of  loyalty,  while  they  were  preparing  for  a  general  revolt,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing 
an  independent  Empire."  At  least,  the  policy  suggested  by  Mr.  Stockton  had  some 
influence  at  home,  for  on  the  first  day  of  the  following  September,  Richard  Penii 
and  Arthur  Lee  delivered  to  Lord  Dartmouth  a  petition  from  Congress  to  the  King 
embodying  the  above  views  and  probably  borrowed  from  them,  and  were  informed 

that  NO  ANSWER  WOULD  BE  GIVEN. 

M  Sanderson's  Signers. 


in  the  Revolution.  179 

his  colleague  Clymer.  he  visited  the  camp  of  the  Northern 
army,  and  consulted  with  the  gallant  Schuyler,  as  to  details 
already  tending  there  to  a  great  triumph.  Soon,  the  ravages  of 
war  reached  and  destroyed  that  happy  home,  his  family  was 
driven  into  exile,  his  lands  were  laid  waste,  and  his  favorite 
horses  appropriated  by  the  raiders.  Then,  to  complete  his 
misfortunes,  when  captured  by  them,  he  was  carried  into  New 
York,  and  from  his  prominent  position  as  a  recent  King's  officer, 
"  ignominiously  thrown  into  a  common  jail,"  and  confined  with 
such  cruelty  that  when  exchanged,  upon  the  special  remon- 
strances of  Congress,  conveyed  by  Washington,  his  shattered 
health  unfitted  him  for  further  usefulness,  and  a  lingering  life  of 
suffering  was  the  final  fulfillment  of  his  remarkable  promise, 
which  terminated  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  February,  1781,  too 
soon  to  know  of  the  effect  of  the  artillery  at  Yorktown,  in 
consummating  the  freedom  for  which,  after  exhorting  his  children 
to  remember  that  "  the  fear  of  God  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom," 
he  had  died  a  martyr.  In  many  countries  such  service  would 
be  recorded  by  monuments  tl  more  lasting  than  brass,"  and  his 
'•fete  day"  remembered  and  celebrated;  in  the  engrossing 
present  of  what  he  aided  to  create,  is  it  not  doubtful  if  his 
name  is  known  to  all  of  those  even  in  his  native  State,  where 
some  evidently  concentrate  in  themselves  and  in  their  surround- 
ings, the  beginning  and  end  of  all  interest  in  the  perpetuation  of 
their  existence  as  freemen.  Is  it  not  equally  so,  if  he  were 
living,  whether  those  services  would  command  a  sufficient  vote 
of  appreciation  to  return  him  to  Congress,  if  vigorously  op- 
posed by  some  political  organization  or  machine,  supported  by 
the  now  common  outlay. 
23 


i8o  Tories  or  Loyalists 

But  our  national  existence  appears  largely  due  to  the  folly  of  its 
rulers,  even  more  than  to  the  resistance  of  the  colonies.  When 
relieved  of  a  hostile  neighbor  by  the  conquest  of  Canada,  they 
needed  no  longer  the  protecting  assistance  of  the  parent  gov- 
ernment. The  continuous  border  warfare  with  the  French  then 
ended,  and  also  that  with  all  of  the  Indians,  surrounding;  the 

*  '  O 

upper  lakes,  in  the  successful  defence  of  Detroit  and  the  defeat  of 
Pontiac.  During  the  continuance  of  these  wars,  they  had  been 
compelled  to  keep  an  average  of  25,000  troops  under  arms, 
and  had  made  a  valuable  expenditure  of  thirty  thousand  lives. 
They  claimed  a  large  balance,  some  ,£350,000  for  outlays. 
A  vote  of  £200,000  by  Parliament  on  the  recommendation  of 
George  III  at  once  on  his  accession,  while  admitting  the 
necessity  for  such  assistance,  seems  inconsistent  with  a 
claim  soon  after  made  for  a  revenue  of  £100,000  by  direct 
taxation.  In  1775  the  debt  of  Great  Britain  was  estimated 
at  three  hundred  millions  and  its  interest  charges  in  1776, 
£4,800,000  of  which  £19,000  was  claimed  as  for  the  expenses 
of  the  first  year  of  the  war. 

There  had  been  dissensions  between  the  Governors  and  the 
Assemblies,  and  a  successful  resistance  to  the  foreign  taxes  on 
sugar  and  molasses.  Writs  of  assistance  ordering  the  collection, 
had  been  reluctantly  granted,  and  little  used.  An  uncomfortable 
relation  had  grown  up  between  the  colonies,  now  a  prosperous 
and  warlike  people,  and  their  mother  country.  Sir  Robert 
Walpole23  had  years  before  divined  that  their  direct  taxation  was 

23  Doubtless  their  clandestine  trade  with  the  Spanish  Colonies,  exporting  British 
manufactures  in  exchange  for  specie,  made  stamps  more  objectionable,  but  far  seeing 
Walpole  claimed,  that  of  every  £500,000  so  gained  by  them,  one-half  would  be 
expended  in  England.  Their  friends  throughout  persistently  sustained  them  in  Parlia- 
ment. Chatham,  Rockingham,  Newcastle,  Camden  and  Conway  amongst  the  earliest, 
with  such  success,  that  when  partially  to  aid  the  East  India  Company,  three  pence  a 
pound  on  tea  was.  on  motion  of  Lord  North  alone  persisted  in,  —  on  the  5th  of 
March,  1770  —  Captain  Preston  had  on  that  day,  fired  on  the  "  Boston  Mob,"  and 
the  concession  came  too  late. 


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FROM     THE    ORIGINAL    IN   THE   COLLECTION  Or    T.B.N1. 


in   the  Revolution.  181 

to  "disturb  a  hornets'  nest,"  and  left  it  as  he  said — as  many 
political  questions  are  bequeathed  —  "to  those  who  should 
come  after  him,  who  had  more  courage  than  himself;"  and 
the  judicious  Pitt,  when  it  was  suggested  as  a  source  of  needed 
revenue,  expressed  his  unwillingness  to  "  burn  his  fingers 
with  an  American  Tax."  What  the  course  of  events  would 
have  been,  if  Frederick,  Prince  of  Wales,  had  lived  to  succeed 
his  father,  is  a  subject  for  conjecture.  He  appears  to  have 
been  controlled  by  generous  impulses,  and  advanced  ideas  of 
government,  was  /rank  and  ingenuous  in  his  carriage,  while 
doubtless  a  subject  for  "  calculation"  or  at  least  observation  as 
to  his  future,  as  an  heir  apparent  of  mature  years  is  apt  to 
be.  It  was  asserted  that  he  favored  dividing  the  control  of 
his  father's  Whig  advisors  — representing  the  ruling  party 
since  the  Protestant  succession  —  and  admitting  the  long 
neglected  Tory  element  to  share  it,  and  to  neutralize  the  in- 
fluence of  both,  by  subordinating  every  element  to  the  develop- 
ment, in  his  expected  reign — of  Bolingbroke's  ideal  government, 
ruled  by  a  "  Patriot  King.''  Dying  in  his  father's  lifetime,  at 
the  age  of  forty-four,  his  son  succeeded  directly  on  the  decease 
of  his  grandfather  on  the  26th  of  October,  1760,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two,  having  been  the  first  of  his  familv  born  on 
British  soil. 

The  accession  of  George  III24  to  the  throne  when  proclaimed 
throughout  his  dominions  and  colonies^  was  received  every  where 

*4  It  was  said  of  him  at  that  time  "  though  his  character  was  far  from  yet  being 
perfectly  developed,  a  very  strong  and  apparently  just  partiality  predominated  in  his 
favor.  During  the  late  reign  he  had  uniformly  abstained  from  all  public  interference 
in  the  affairs  of  government.  His  manners  were  in  the  highest  degree  decorous,  his 
words  unblemished,  and  his  personal  accomplishments  corresponded  with  the  eleva- 
tion of  his  rank  and  station.  All  appearances  seemed  to  augur  a  reign  of  unin- 
terrupted glory  and  felicity,  and  the  regret  which  the  nation  for  a  moment  felt  at  the 
sudden  demise  of  the  good  old  King,  was  immediately  absorbed  in  the  transports  of 
joy  excited  by  the  auspicious  commencement  of  the  reign  of  the  young  Monarch  who 


1 82  Tories  or  Loyalists 

with  demonstrations  of  hope  and  joy.  The  people  mainly 
at  last,  attached  to  his  family,  augured  from  his  character  and 
youth,  a  relief  from  every  existing  complication.  Their  griev- 
ances and  prayers  for  redress  were  early  addressed  to  the  new 
monarch,  and  steadily  pressed  on  his  attention,  with  increasing 
emphasis.  The  hand  of  his  mother — a  Princess  who  was  known 
by  the  populace  as  "  The  Witch,"  and  doubtless  held  herself  to 
be  capable  and  executive — seems  to  have  shaped  his  destiny  as 
woman  has  often  influenced  the  destinies  of  mankind.  His 
father,  apparently  no  mean  judge  of  character,  speaking  of  John 
Stewart,  Earl  of  Bute,  whom  he  had  first  seen  at  the  Duchess 
of  Queensbury's  fete,  acting  as  '*  Lothario"  in  the  "Fair 
Penitent,"  apparently  soon  as  an  intimate  at  Leicester  House, 
epigrammatically  described  him  as  '•  a  fine  showy  man  who 
would  make  an  excellent  ambassador  in  any  court,  where  there 
was  no  business  "  (  Beeton's  Universal  Biography  ),  and  all  his- 

had  very  lately  attained  the  age  of  complete  majority;  being  born  June  4,  1738." 
Bel  sham's  Memoirs  of  George  III. 

The  late  Dean  Stanley,  in  his  "  Memorials  of  Westminster  Abbey, "  recalls 
some  details  of  the  coronation  of  George  III,  that  Archbishop  Seeker  who  officiated, 
had  baptized,  confirmed  and  married,  the  King.  That  the  princely  style  in  which 
the  young  King  seated  himself  after  the  ceremony,  attracted  general  notice."  "  No 
actor  in  the  character  of  Pyrrhus,  in  the  '  Distrest  Mother,'  "  says  Bishop  Newton, 
who  was  present,  "  not  even  Booth  himself,  ever  ascended  the  throne  with  so  much 
grace  and  dignity."  That  the  most  interesting  peculiarity  of  the  coronation  was  the  un- 
noticed attendance  of  the  rival  to  the  throne,  Prince  Charles  Edward"  (  the  Pretender, 
then  in  London,  under  the  name  of  Mr.  Brown).  "  I  asked  my  Lord  Marshal," 
says  David  Hume,  •'  the  reason  for  this  strange  fact."  "Ay,"  says  he,  "a  gentleman 
told  me  so,  who  saw  him  there,  and  whispered  in  his  ear,  «  Your  Royal  Highness  is 
the  last  of  all  mortals  whom  I  should  expect  to  see  here."  "It  was  curiosity  that 
led  me,"  said  the  other,  "  but  I  assure  you,"  added  he,  "that  the  person  who  is  the 
cause  of  all  this  pomp  and  magnificence,  is  the  man  I  envy  least."  Could  he  have 
realized  what  that  rival  would  soon  suffer  from  the  losses  here  treated  of,  he  would 
not  have  envied  him  the  more,  on  that  day  that  he  inherited  those  troubles,  with 
the  preferment. 

The  signature  of  Archbishop  Seeker,  who  aided  and  endowed  Episcopal  churches 
in  America,  and  also  officiated  at  the  coronation  of  Lord  Granville,  Dunk,  Earl  of 
Halifax,  and  others  of  the  Lords  of  Council  annexed  to  the  order  for  his  proclamation 
in  New  York,  like  that  of  Goldsboro  Banyer,  the  then  Deputy  Secretary,  may  be 
recalled  in  connection  with  our  early  history. 


in  the  Revolution.  183 

torians  appear  to  agree  in  failing  to  approve  of  the  man.  He 
was,  says  Belsham  —  apparently  an  impartial  writer  —  "a 
nobleman  haughty  in  his  manners,  contracted  in  his  capacity, 
despotic  in  his  sentiments,  and  mysterious  in  his  conduct,  who 
was  successfully  insinuating  himself  into  the  confidence  of  the 
Princess  of  Wales,  and  of  her  son."  Only  Sunday  intervened 
between  the  old  King's  death,  and  his  taking  his  oath  as  a  Privy 
Counsellor,  and  he  at  once  supplanted  his  daughter,  Princess 
Amelia,  in  the  Rangership  of  Richmond  Park.25  As  the  Mentor 
of  the  Prince  he  became  a  rapid  meteor,  shooting  upward  from 
place  to  place,  from  that  position  to  Secretary  of  State,  then  to 
first  Lord  of  the  Treasury,  and  ruler  of  the  Ministry  of  the 
Nation,  of  the  Princess  Dowager,  and  of  his  Sovereign.  The 
latter  had  learned  to  thoroughly  accept  his  infallibility  and 
to  adopt  his  ideas,  which  culminated  in  his  misfortunes,  and 
loss  of  colonies  and  intellect.  Lord  Bute  drove  from  the 
counsels  of  his  well  intending  master,  all  other  advisers,  including 
those  apparently  essential  to  his  prosperity.  Some  refused  to 
serve  as  his  colleagues,  others  were  supplanted  in  securing  place 
and  emolument  for  himself  and  his  creatures.  While  in  thus 
depriving  America  of  friends  in  the  Council,  familiar  with  their 
rights  and  necessities,  he  concentrated  power  in  himself.  It  is 
just  to  say,  that  he  pressed  the  war  against  the  Allies  on  the  con- 
tinent, with  vigorous  success,  on  sea  and  land,  bringing  them 
to  their  knees,  and  negotiating  the  Peace  of  Fontainbleau  in 
November,  1762,  with  France,  Spain  and  Portugal,  by  which 
Canada  and  all  Louisiana  east  of  Mississippi  was  finally  ceded,  by 
France ;  East  and  West  Florida  and  all  their  territory  east  and 
south-east  of  that  river,  by  Spain.  In  the  haste  with  which  he 
availed  himself  of  these  successes,  securing  the  results  which  made 

•5  Possibly  to  please  her  sister-in-law. 


184  Tories  or  Loyalists 

the  "Georgian  Era"  memorable,  he  immensely  increased  the  area 
of  the  colonies.  He  neglected  to  provide  any  indemnity  for  Prus- 
sia as  a  faithful  ally,  from  her  position  liable  to  future  retaliation, 
and  won  those  caustic,  but  just  criticisms  with  which  that 
Frederick,  who  was  great  with  both  pen  and  sword  —  after 
having  protected  his  then  exposed  condition  by  a  treaty  with 
Russia  and  Sweden,  has  embalmed  his  memory  in  his  CEuvres 
du  R.oi  de  Prusse.  This,  and  the  forcing  ^through  with  great 
difficulty,  even  sustained  by  the  whole  power  of  the  Govern- 
ment, of  the  "  Cider  Bill,"  involving  a  direct  tax  repugnant  to 
the  whole  people,  especially  to  the  <<- Country  Party,"  and  the 
agricultural  interests,  and  so  establishing  a  precedent  for  those 
which  cost  the  recent  acquisitions  in  America,  and  their  base, 
were  the  crowning  results  of  a  'power  which  he  suddenly 
resigned,  when — as  he  admitted  'l  single  in  a  Cabinet  of  his  own 
creating,  with  no  soul  in  the  House  of  Lords  to  support  him, 
but  two  Peers."  All  of  this  unwise  exercise  of  authority 
appears  to  have  originated  in  the  Princess  Dowager's  rejection, 
of  what  the  world  have  since  united  in  approving,  as  the 
wise  judgment  of  her  husband,  and  allowing  the  needy  schemer 
he  distrusted,  the  unrestricted  control  of  that  of  his  son,  particu- 
larly on  this  to  him,  fatal  question  of  direct  taxation. 

William  Henry  Drayton  —  Chief  Justice  of  South  Caro- 
lina—  who  was  in  the  habit  of  engrafting  ardent  precepts  of 
patriotism  with  those  of  law,  in  his  charges  to  the  grand  jury 
and  also  of  contributing  his  salary  to  their  promotion,26  ex- 
pressed the  universal  sense  of  the  Colonies  in  one  of  these  de- 
livered on  the  I5th  of  October,  1776. 

"  Never  were  a  people  more  wrapped  up  in  a  King  than 
the  Americans  were  in  George  III  in  1763.  They  revered 

36    He  also  died  in  service,  a  member  of  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  Feb.  3,  1779. 


in  the  Revolution.  185 

and  obeyed  the  British  Government  because  it  protected  them, 
they  fondly  called  Great  Britain  bome^  but  from  that  time  her 
counsels  took  a  ruinous  turn  ;  ceasing  to  protect  they  sought  to 
ruin  America,  the  Stamp  Act,  Declaratory  law  and  duties  upon 
Tea  and  other  articles,  at  once  proclaimed  the  injustice,  and  an- 
nounced to  Americans  that  they  had  but  little  room  for  hope, 
infinite  space  for  fear.  In  vain  they  petitioned  for  redress." 

But  England  needed  money  ;  and  the  means  as  proposed  to 
the  King,  by  Bute,  seemed  to  him  adequate  and  proper.  In  an 
effort  to  add  to  her  revenue  the  £100,000,  Mr.  Grenville27  his 
successor  as  first  Commissioner  of  the  Treasury,  proposed  to 
collect  it  by  the  Stamp  Act  in  1763,  and  so  partially  reimburse 
her  outlay  in  the  Seven  Years'  War,  which  had  in  part  originated 
in  the  defence  of  her  Colonies.  In  this  she  thoroughly  aroused 
them,  already  exasperated,  to  a  forcible  resistance,  so  sig- 
nificant as  to  strengthen  the  hands  of  its  opponents  in  Par- 
liament sufficiently  to  effect  the  repeal  of  that  already  obsolete 
act. 

Even  then  there  was  a  chance  for  reconciliation,  for  which 
the  Colonies  still  steadily  petitioned  and  labored  through  their 
agents  and  friends.  But  the  fumes  of  the  "  Cider  Bill "  had 
influenced  the  royal  head,  he  persevered  in  his  policy,  and  the 
brilliant  Charles  Townshend,  as  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer, 

•7  In  the  course  of  the  debate  on  the  Cider  Bill,  Mr.  Grenville,  annoyed  by  Mr. 
Pitt's  ridicule  of  its  subject,  replied,  "  The  Right  Honorable  Gentleman  complains 
of  the  hardship  of  this  Tax ;  why  does  he  not  tell  us  where  we  can  lay  another  tax 
instead  of  it  ? "  repeating  two  or  three  times  emphatically,  "  Tell  me  -where  you 
can  lay  another  tax."  Mr.  Pitt  thus  unseasonably  appealed  to,  replied  in  a  musical 
tone,  in  the  words  of  a  favorite  air,  "Gentle  Shepherd  tell  me  where,"  which, 
amused  the  House  and  fixed  the  soubrequet  on  Mr.  Grenville.  Mr.  Belsham, 
who  related  it  in  1795,  did  not  view  it  even  then  as  wholly  a  joke.  "Little 
certainly,"  says  he,  "  did  this  minister  imagine  how  fertile  would  be  the  invention  of 
his  successors,  or  how  thoroughly  subdued  by  time  and  custom  the  spirits  of  the 
people."  This  tax,  however,  was  also  soon  obsolete  from  non  usor. 


186  Tories  or  Loyalists 

four  years  later  essayed  to  increase  the  still  insufficient  revenue, 
by  the  substitution  of  a  more  remunerative  duty  upon  tea,  glass, 
paper  and  painters'  colors,  under  the  impression  that  the  form 
and  not  the  substance  of  the  taxation  was  unpalatable,  but  even 
when  limited  to  tea  alone,  its  attempted  enforcement  was,  as 
we  know,  the  immediate  cause  of  the  loss  of  her  Colonies,  at 
least  at  that  time. 

It  was  a  small  beginning  to  a  mighty  result,  the  spark  that 
caused  a  great  conflagration,  in  which,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of 
Lord  North,  into  whose  hands  and  those  of  Lord  George 
Germain, —  whom  Belsham  emphasizes  as  "so  famous,  or 
rather  infamous,  under  his  former  appellation  of  Lord  George 
Sackville," — after  several  intermediate  unsuccessful  ministries 
it  fell,  to  make  the  final  efforts  to  extinguish  it  by  conciliation, 
too  long  delayed,  or  by  force  ;  and  so  to  officiate,  in  the  final 
dismemberment  of  a  portion  of  Great  Britain's  dominions, 
now  vastly  larger  and  greater,  than  the  whole  at  that  period. 
The  Tory  interests  were  then  remorselessly  burned  . 

The  few  details  of  public  outlay  referred  to  in  these  old 
papers,  only  valuable  here  as  connected  with  the  subject,  are, 
it  will  be  seen,  trifling  items  of  the  then  immense  expendi- 
ture of  the  British  Government  in  that  fruitless  struggle  for 

OD 

a  small  additional  Revenue,  and  additions  to  her  indebtedness 
always  very  great,  but  easily  carried  in  ordinary  times  by  the 
appreciation  of  her  Funded  Debt,  as  a  security  by  the  world. 
From  these  fragments,  we  can  discern  the  continued  confidence 
of  the  Government  in  Sir  John  Johnson,  after  the  military  results 
elsewhere  referred  to,  and  that  he  was  entrusted  with  the  care 
and  control  of  his  former  allies  and  neighbors,  apparently  as  the 
superior  of  Col.  Guy  Johnson,  on  whom  the  Superintendency 


in  the  Revolution.  187 

devolved  at  the  decease  of  Sir  William,  probably  so  arranged 
in  order  to  allow  him  to  devote  his  uninterrupted  attention  to  the 
care  of  an  estate,  then  only  second  to  that  of  Penn's  in  size,  and 
to  enjoy  it  as  a  landed  gentleman.  Perhaps,  as  a  clear  judge  of 
character  in  ordinary  cases,  he  distrusted  the  qualities  of  his  son 
to  assume  the  Superintendency ;  an  impression  which  seems 
oftener  to  prevail  with  an  elderly  man,  than  that  of  a  too  high 
appreciation  of  the  ability  of  any  apparent  successor.  In  the 
event,  fate  did  not  free  him  from  the  cares  from  which  his 
father  may  have  hoped  to  relieve  him,  after  having  himself 
long  borne  their  weight. 

It  may  be  noticed  that  the  following  order  providing  for  the  relief 
of  several  corps  of  Loyalists  belonging  to  General  Burgoyne's 
Army,  and  other  Refugees,  deducts  the  value  of  provisions,  issued 
to  "  said  Corps  of  Royalists  and  others,  between  25th  October 
1777"  —  three  months  after  the  conclusion  of  the  foregoing 
Diary  —  u  and  24th  April,  1778,"  and  probably  includes  the 
troops  it  treats  of,  as  then  still  under  command. 

Guy  Carleton,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  General  and  Commander- 
in-chief  of  his  Majesty's  Forces  in  the  Province  of  Quebec  and 
frontiers  thereof, 

You  are  hereby  directed  and  required  to  pay  or  cause  to  be 
paid  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  Bart.,  or  to  his  assigns,  the  sum 
of  six  thousand  four  hundred  and  sixty  seven  pounds,  eleven 
shillings  and  six  pence,  sterling  dollars  at  four  shillings  and 
eight  pence  each,  being  the  allowance  made  for  the  present 
relief  of  several  corps  of  Royalists,  belonging  to  General  Bur- 
goyne's army,  and  sundry  other  persons  who  have  taken  refuge 
in  this  Province  from  the  Rebellious  Colonies,  as  per  annexed 
accounts.  You  will  also  deduct  the  sum  of  one  thousand  and 
twenty-four  pounds,  six  shillings  and  eight  pence  sterling,  being 
the  amount  of  provisions  issued  to  the  said  corps  of  Royalists 
and  others,  between  25th  October,  1777,  and  24th  April,  1778. 
24 


Tories  or  Loyalists 


And  this,  with  the  acquittances  of  the  said  Sir  John  Johnson, 
Bt.,  or  his  assigns,  shall  be  your  sufficient  Warrant  and  Dis- 
charge. 

Given   under   my  hand,   at   Quebec,  this   2gth   of 
April,  1778. 

GUY  CARLETON.28 

To  John  Powell,  Esq., 

Dy.  Paymaster  General, 

His  Majesty's  forces  at  Quebec. 

This    appointment  —  dated  five    months    after  the    virtual 
close  of  the  war  at   Yorktown,  although  eight  before  the  nego- 

28  The  last  English  commander  in-chief  in  her  lost  colonies.  By  escaping  from 
captivity  at  Montreal  in  1775,  passing  at  night,  with  muffled  oars,  through  his  ad- 
versaries* forces,  throwing  himself  into  Quebec,  and  rallying  its  feeble  garrison,  he 
saved  the  city  and  deprived  the  adventurous  Montgomery  of  his  victory.  The 
jealousy  of  Lord  George  Germaine  is  said  to  have  confined  his  service  to  Canada, 
and  deprived  him  of  the  command  of  the  expedition  led  by  Burgoyne.  His  loyal 
endurance  of  this  slight,  and  his  cordial  assistance  with  the  favorite  of  the  hour, 
won  for  him  Burgoyne's  recorded  appreciation.  General  Burgoyne  was  apparently  a 
man  of  ability,  and  had  been  a  successful  soldier  in  Portugal.  He  was  a  social 
celebrity  also,  and  owed  his  progress  to  family  influence.  His  devotion  to  pleasure  is 
charged  to  have  delayed  him  —  while  in  fact  probably  waiting  for  the  promised 
cooperation  of  General  Howe  —  when  celerity  of  movement  appears  to  have  offered 
the  only  chance  for  either  advance  or  escape. 

It  has  also  been  claimed,  mainly  by  those  not  present,  that  his  delay  near  Fort  Edward, 
to  procure  horses  tor  a  very  heavy  artillery  and  train,  increased  the  need  of  provisions, 
all  of  which  the  disasters  of  the  detachments  on  his  flanks  at  Fort  Stanwix  and 
Bennington,  prevented  his  securing,  while  they  crippled  an  originally  small  force, 
to  swing  so  far  from  its  base.  It  was  also  asserted,  that  he  should  have  held  Fort 
Edward,  prepared  to  advance  when  he  had  satisfactory  intelligence  from  below,  or 
even  to  retreat  to  Canada  ;  an  apparent  answer  would  be,  that  he  had  but  five  days 
provisions  when  he  yielded  ;  inconsiderable  for  a  siege  and  had  no  knowledge  of 
Clinton's  small  supplies,  sent  to  Albany.  That  the  whole  country  encouraged  by 
those  disasters,  was  rising,  and  troops  being  hurried  forward,  while  his  own  were 
daily  reduced  ;  and  that  he  was  in  effect  captured  before  he  surrendered.  It  was 
only  at  the  end  of  a  century,  that  General  Howe's  failure  to  advance  to  his  aid  was 
accounted  for,  by  an  explanation,  written  at  the  time  by  Lord  Shelburne,  and  pub- 
lished by  his  appreciative  grandson,  in  his  life  in  1875,  by  which  it  appears  that 
Lord  George  Germaine,  also  a  man  of  pleasure,  being  engaged  to  dine  in  the  country, 
signed  the  orders  for  Burgoyne,  but  those  for  Gen.  Howe  requiring  to  be' rewritten, 
were  to  be  sent  to  him,  for  his  signature  there.  The  packet  unexpectedly  sailed 
with  only  the  former,  and  so  produced  the  complication,  while  the  latter  were  found 
pigeon  holed  in  the  office  of  that  valuable  public  servant,  years  afterwards,  and  so 
America  gained  a  battle  only  second  in  value  from  its  results.  This  blunder,  as  many 
other  explanations  just  to  that  officer,  and  perhaps  the  best  conception  of  the  good  and 


in  the  Revolution.  189 

tiation  of  the  Preliminary  Peace  —  creating  him  Superin- 
tendent General  of  all  Indians  at  Quebec  and  the  frontier 
Provinces,  including  his  old  neighbors  four  of  the  Six  Nations  — 
might  imply  that  his  hopes  as  a  soldier  had  ended,  with  those 
for  the  restoration  of  his  inherited  domain.  The  evidence 
however  exists  of  his  continued  interests  in  the  differences  with 
the  Indians,  still  occupying  the  territory  claimed  by  the  United 
States,  proving  his' later  hostility. 

SIR  :  WHITE  HALL,  18  March,  1782. 

The  King  has  been  graciously  pleased  to  appoint  you 
Superintendent  General,  and  Inspector  General  of  the  Six 
Nations  of  Indians  and  their  Confederates  and  also  of  the 

evil  in  his  character,  have  also  been  afforded  to  readers  by  the  daughters  of  a  more 
fortunate  General,  his  son  Sir  John  Burgoyne,  who  are  now  residing  in  Hampton 
Court,  in  the  "  Political  and  Military  Sketches  "  published  by  their  inspiration,  by  Mr. 
Fonblanque  in  1876.  These,  with  the  "  Memoirs  of  the  Marquis  of  Rockingham," 
edited  by  Lord  Albemarle  ini8^z,  "The  correspondence  of  the  Duke  of  Bedford  and 
Lord  Chatham,"  "The  Evelyn's  in  America,  "contributed  by  J.  D.  Scull,  Oxford, 
1 88 1,  Judge  Jones'  "History  of  New  York  in  the  Revolution,"  and  the  Gates 
.  papers,  contributed  by  Dr.  T.  A.  Emmett  to  the  •'  Magazine  of  American  History," 
are  all  among  the  recent  proofs  of  the  mellowing  influence  of  Time  upon  History. 
There  appear  to  be  many  coincidences  in  the  career  of  Burgoyne  and  that  of 
Gates,  identified  as  they  were  in  service  and  in  eventual  destiny.  Both  types  of  the 
conventional  gentleman,  brilliant  and  epigrammatic  with  the  pen  and  audacious  with 
the  sword.  Equally  open  to  a  generous  impulse,  the  error  of  self  appreciation  and 
a  desire  for  rapid  glory,  both  based  some  impression  of  infallibility  on  the  rules  of 
technical  education  and  the  prestige  of  former  service.  Both  appear  in  history  fit 
subjects  to  point  the  moral  that  while  success  is  self  recording,  misfortune  commands 
its  equal  right  10  a  reliable  record.  With  probably  less  natural  ability  than  either, 
Gen.  Carleton  combined  with  courage  and  decision  the  additional  requisite  of  business 
capacity.  He  appears  to  have  received  in  all  history,  that  which  these  brilliant  co- 
temporaries  sought  tor  and  failed  to  achieve,  as  a  reward  for  his  unassuming  useful- 
ness and  admitted  humanity.  It  has  been  considered  whether  there  would  have  been  a 
Saratoga  in  our  roll  of  victories,  had  that  active  commander  led  the  expedition. 
It  was  his  singular  fortune  to  serve  in  America  through  the  war,  to  hold  Quebec 
»t  its  outset,  and  surrender  New  York  at  its  conclusion.  After  the  peace  he  became 
Lord  Dorchester  and  remained  in  Canada  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  British 
forces.  The  eccentric  General  Charles  Lee,  another  soldier  of  the  school  of  Bur- 
goyne and  Gates,  influenced  by  his  too  little  faith  in  Washington  as  a  soldier — after 
the  attempt  to  hold  Fort  Washington — and  too  much  in  a  sense  of  his  own  educated 
superiority,  attempted  to  treat,  for  a  hasty  completion  ot  the  war,  as  Dr.  George  H. 
Moore  has  shown,  with  an  individuality  too  intense,  to  conceive  its  exercise  treason- 
able. 


190  Tories  or  Loyalists 

Indians  in  the  Province  of  Quebec,  and  in  the  Provinces  lying 
on  the  Frontiers  thereof. 

lam  happy  to  inform  you  of  this  Mark  of  His  Majesty's  Favor 
and  Confidence  and  as  it  conveys  to  you  most  authentically 
His  Royal  Approbation  of  your  former  services,  it  will,  I  am  sure, 
impress  you  with  the  warmest  Sentiments  of  Duty  and  Gratitude, 
and  excite  you  to  exert  your  utmost  endeavors  to  render  your 
present  appointment  beneficial  to  the  Public,  by  establishing  a 
strict  economy  through  all  branches  of  your  Department,  which 
will  be  the  best  means  of  recommending  yourself  to  His 
Majestys  future  Favor  and  Attention.  You  will  see  by  the 
terms  of  your  warrant  that  you  are  to  follow  such  Orders  and 
instructions  as  you  shall  receive  from  the  Commander-in-Chief 
of  His  Majestys  Forces  in  the  Provinces  of  Quebec,  I  have 
signified  to  General  Haldimand  His  Majestys  Pleasure  that 
he  should  make  you  such  Allowances  for  your  Services  and  Ex- 
penses as  he  shall  judge  adequate  and  proper.  I  have  therefore 
only  to  signify  to  you  His  Majestys  Commands  that  you  do 
with  all  possible  expedition  return  to  Quebec  and  take  upon 
you  the  exercise  of  the  very  important  office  to  which  you  are 
appointed  and  immediately  after  your  arrival  address  yourself  to 
General  Haldimand  or  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  His  Majesty's 
Forces  who  will  give  you  orders  for  your  further  proceedings, 
which  you  are  in  all  cases  to  pay  the  most  exact  and  punctual 
obedience.  Sir,  Your  Most  Obedient 

humble  servant, 

Sir  John  Johnson,  Bar.3°  W. 


But,  when  at  this  interval  there  arose  a  report,  that  the  Amer- 
icans were  advancing  to  carry  their  successes  into  Canada, 
and  some  military  movements  towards  the  frontier  —  probably 
merely  demonstrations  —  had  given  it  color,  we  find3'  Sir  Ferdi- 

^  He  occupied  many  positions  of  honor  and  trust;   was  a  member  of  the  Privy 
Council,  and  of  Parliament  for  Weymouth,  and  created  Lord  Mendip  in  1794. 

3°  Sir    John  had  already  performed   similar  duties  probably  with  local  rank.      He 
was  at  this  time  in  his  thirty-sixth  year. 

3'  Riedesel  Memoirs. 


in  the  Revolution.  191 

nand  Haldimand,  commanding  in  Canada,  alive  to  the  danger, 
communicating  to  Baron  von  Riedesel,  in  command  at  Sorel, 
in  a  letter  dated  Quebec,  February  13,  1783,  that  he  had 
despatched  a  messenger  to  the  "  Chevalier  Johnson,"  to  send 
"five  or  six  of  the  most  active,  and  expert  Mohawks,  to  watch 
the  road  from  Albany  to  West  Point,"  and  suggesting  that  he, 
"  with  his  savages  and  light  batallion,  fall  back  a  few  miles,  even 
about  Point  au  Fer,"  which  shows  him  at  that  date  again  in 
active  service. 

The  one  thousand  pounds  a  year  furnished  him,  liberal  pay  at 
that  time,  no  doubt,  if  poorly  compensating  for  his  own  lost  rev- 
enue, attests  that  the  outlays  of  his  government,  had  not  yet 
been  checked  by  its  reverses.  We  can  gather  from  another 
paper,  that  he  had  been  engaged  at  that  time  on  picket  duty, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  his  old  home,  scouting,  having 
soldiers  and  scouts  "  piloted,"  secreting  and  procuring  intelli- 
gence, all  incident  to  border  expeditions,  probably  entrusted  to 
him  from  his  knowledge  of  localities  and  perhaps  involving  some 
of  those  inhumanities,  which  tradition  have  laid  to  his  account. 
For  fourteen  months  of  this  service,  General  Haldimand  appears 
to  have  compensated  him  at  the  rate  of  ten  shillings  sterling  a 
day,  a  liberal  allowance  also,  at  existing  values,  but  implying 
that  he  was  not  then  under  regular  military  pay.  • 

ACCOUNTS  of  contingent  expenses  incurred  by  Sir  John 
Johnson,  Baronet,  on  account  of  the  Government  by  orders 
of  His  Excellency  General  Haldimand  in  sundry  services  be- 
tween the  25  Dec.,  1780,  and  the  13  March,  1782. 

1781. 

Aug.  5.  To  cash  to  Michael  Lett  and  party  for 
their  Services  and  Expenses  on  a 
Scout  to  Tryon  County £11  13  4 

Sept.  10.  To  do.  to  Sergeant  Haines  and  party 
for  their  services,  etc.,  on  a  Scout 
to  the  County  of  Tryon 15  10  O 


192  Tories  or  Loyalists 

1782. 

Nov.  10.  To  Peter  Prunner,  late  of  the  Albany 
Bush,  in  the  County  of  Tryon,  for 
Piloting  soldiers  and  scouts  em- 
ployed in  the  service  and  supplying 
them  with  Provisions  between  the 
i6th  June,  1779,  and  the  28th 
September,  1782 36  8  o 

Dec.  15.  To  do.  to  Wm.  Parker,  Sen.,  for  Provi- 
sions and  Surveying,  and  procuring 
Intelligence  and  assisting  Scouts 
Provisions  between  the  I5th  Sep- 
tember, 1778,  and  the  25th  Aug., 

'7Sl 3° 

"    2O.  To  do.  to  Wm.  Kennedy,  for  sundry 

services  in  secreting  and  procuring 
intelligence  and  Assisting  Scouts 
with  Provisions  between  the  I5th 
Sept.,  1778,  and  the  25th  Aug., 

I78l"v ; -          35    15  6 

To  cash  paid  to  the  late  Samuel  Mc- 
Kay, Esq.,  for  Provisions  overpaid 

for  by  him  for  his  Corps 39    15  6 

To  an  allowance  from  his  Excellency 
General  Haldimand  for  Extra  Ser- 
vice from  the  28th  Dec.,  1780  to 
the  I3th  March,  1782,  inclusive  at 
iCtf.  sterling  per  day  ,£222 237  17  I 


Currency £406   19  5 

JOHN  JOHNSON. 

Other  papers  refer  merely  to  routine  duty;  in  them  u  Molly 
Brant  "  is  recalled  as  a  pensioner,  and  Colonels  Guy  Johnson, 
Butler,  and  John  Campbell,  all  familiar  names  in  partisan  war- 
fare, as  connected  still  with  the  government  service. 

Receipt  of  Lieut.  Col.  John  Campbell. 

RECEIVED  from  Sir  John  Johnson,  Baronet,  Superintendent 
General  and  Inspector  General  of  Indian  Affairs,  Two  Thou- 


in  the  Revolution. 


sand  and  fifty-seven  Pounds,  Thirteen  Shills  and  Eight  pence 
Halifax  Currency  being  the  amount  of  Disbursements  paid  by 
me  for  the  Indian  Department  under  my  direction  from  the 
25th  of  March  to  the  24th  September,  1783,  per  acc't  and 
vouchers  delivered  to  him  by 

JOHN  CAMPBELL. 
£2057   13  8  Cy. 

SUBSISTENCE  wanted  for  the  Officers  of  the  Six  Nations  De- 
partments from  25  March  to  24  Sept.,  1783,  Inclusive. 


Commen 

No.  of 

New  York 

Sterling 

Rank 

cing 

Ending 

Days 

Rate  per  day 

£     *     d 

£    *    d 

One  Col  &  Super- 

intendents (Pay 

rec'd    from    the 

General  to  Dec. 

24  next)  

15  March 

24  Sept 

184 

ii 

«     «    « 

300 

One     Deputy    in 

H 

«    t<     « 

100 

Canada..    .. 

do 

do 

184 

Two    Lieutenants 

**T 

(Clement         & 

Magin)  

do 

do 

184 

a  dollar 

147     4 

One  Surgeon  Mate 

do 

do 

184 

do 

73   i* 

One  Clerk  

do 

do 

184 

6t.  York  Cy 

55     4 

One     Commissary 

(Moses    Ibbitt) 

Invalided      and 

discharged  .... 

do 

do 

184 

a  dollar 

73   Ia 

One    Issued    as    a 

Volunteer  (John 

Service)    .  .    .  . 

do 

do 

184 

6s.  York  Cy 

cc      4 

One       Interpreter 

T 

j  j      ~ 

(Le     Coragine) 

Invalided  

do 

do 

184 

a  dollar 

73  «* 

Catharine       Hare 

widow    of    the 

late  Lieut  Hare 

Pj»ncir»n 

4o 

do 

TOA 

TO 

478  o  8      279  i  4 


689  i  4 

COL.  GUY  JOHNSON. 
Amt  of  Lieut  Col  Butlers  Deputy  Agents  return  hereto  annexed  paid 

by  his  draft  on  the  Superintendent  General !7*3  4  4 


Two  Thousand  four  hundred  &  2  pounds 
E.  E.  Quebec  25  October  1783. 
£689     I   4  Col    Johnson 
1713    4  4  Lt  Col  Butler 

2402  5  8  Sterling 


£2,402  5  t 
G.  JOHNSON. 


194  Tories  or  Loyalists  p 

RECEIVED  from  Sir  John  Johnson,  Baronet,  his  Majestys 
Super  Intendent  General  &  Inspector  General  for  Indian  Affairs 
in  North  America  the  sum  of  £6Sq  is  ^d  sterling  for  my  own 
and  a  Deputys  Salary,  the  pay  of  officers  and  others  employed  in 
his  Majestys  service  in  the  Indian  Department  under  my  Super- 
intendency,  from  the  25  March  to  24  Sept.,  1783,  andlcertifie 
that  the  said  Sir  John  Johnson  also  pay  the  sum  of  .£1713  4* 
4^  for  the  pay  of  Lieut.  Col.  Butler,  Deputy  Agent,  that  of  the 
officers  and  others  employed  in  his  Majestys  service  in  the 
Indian  Department  in  the  district  of  Niagara  as  per  the  above 
list  &c.  G.  JOHNSON, 32 

Col.  &  Supt.  of  the  Six  Nations. 

MONTREAL,  4  August,  1784. 

SIR  :  Please  pay  to  Mr.  Charles  McCormick  or  Order  Sixty 
Eight  Pounds  twelve  &  sixpence  currency  being  the  amount  of 
his  pay  from  25  March  to  the  24  September  1784  as  Clerk  & 
Commissary  of  Indian  Stores  for  the  District  of  Detroit. 

JOHN  JOHNSON. 
Mr.  R.  Dobie,  Merchant. 

£54  15^.  N.  Y.  Currency.     CATARAGUI,  20  August,  1784. 
SIR:     At  sight  please  pay  Mr.  Robert  Hamilton  or  order  the 
sum  of  Fifty-four  pounds  fifteen  shillings  New  York  Currency 
being  the   amount  of  my  half  pay  up  to  the  24  of  last  March 
which  pass  to  account  as  per  advice  from, 

Sir,  Your  very  humble  Servant, 

EBENEZER  ALLEN. 
To  Sir  John  Johnson  Knt 

&  Baron  Knight  (sic)  Montreal. 
Mr.  Dobie  will  please  pay  the  above  draft. 

J.  JOHNSON. 

For  £50  Currency.  MONTREAL,  20  August,  1784. 

SIR  :  Please  pay  to  Mrs.  Mary  Brant33  or  order  Fifty  pounds 
Halifax  Currency  in  part  of  her  pension  from  Government 
from  23  Oct.,  83  &  22  Sept.  1784. 

JOHN  JOHNSON. 

To  Mr.  Richard  Dobie,  Montreal. 

y*  Col.  Guy  Johnson,  nephew,  son-in-law,  some  time  secretary  and  named  as 
successor  to  Sir  William  Johnson. 

33  The  widow  of  Joseph  Brant  [Thayendanegea]  who  survived  her  husband  thirty 
years. 


in  the  Revolution.  195 

LONDON,  Dec.  24,  1784. 

Received  from  Sir  John  Johnson,  Baronet,  His  Majestys 
Superintendent  General  and  Inspector  General  of  Indian  Affairs 
in  North  America,  Three  Hundred  Pounds  Sterling  for  my 
Salary  as  Superintendent  of  the  Six  Indian  Nations  and  their 
Allies  from  25  June  to  the  24  Dec.,  1784,  Inclusive. 

£300.  G.  JOHNSON,34 

Col.  y  Superintendent  of  the  Six  Nations. 

A  letter  from  Major  General  Hope,  Commander-in-Chief 
&c.,  to  Sir  John  is  apparently  interesting,  as  throwing  further 
light  on  a  restless  escapade,  which  is  referred  to  in  the  life  of 
that  early  representative  of  the  possibilities  and  effect  of  educa- 
tion, even  upon  a  savage  mind.  He  had  determined  at  this 
time  to  seek  in  person,  the  indemnity  for  the  losses  of  his  people, 
which  Sir  John  —  who  wished  to  prevent  his  absence,  at  what 
he  considered  an  important  moment,  had  failed  to  secure  in  his 
own  recent  visit. 

QUEBEC,  Nov.  9,  1785. 
DEAR  SIR  : 

I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  the  6  by  express 
last  night  at  ten  o'clock  but  too  late  I  am  sorry  to  tell  you,  by 
two  days  for  producing  the  effect  desired  ;  Joseph35  having  come 
to  the  resolution  suddenly  of  taking  passage  in  the  Packet 
which  sailed  on  Sunday  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  ; 
having  been  made  to  believe  as  he  said  that  the  Madona  was  not 
a  safe  conveyance  from  having  so  few  hands,  but  rather,  I  am 
apt  to  believe  from  some  suspicion  that  he  had  entertained  of 
being  disappointed  in  getting  away  at  all  if  he  deferred  it  till  the 
last  Trip,  or  perhaps  artfully  wishing  to  avoid  the  knowledge 
of  your  sentiments  which  he  might  expect  that  the  arrival  of 
David  at  Montreal  would  produce.  In  short,  my  dear  Sir  John, 
he  was  bent  upon  going  and  is  off  notwithstanding  my  different 
attempts  to  dissuade  him — offered  in  such  a  manner  at  first  as 

34  An  interesting  letter  from  Col.  Guy  Johnson  to  Sir  William,  too  late  for  inser- 
tion here,  will  be  found  in  Appendix  A. 

35  Captain  Joseph  Brant  —  Thayendauegea. 

25 


196  Tories  or  Loyalists 

not  to  give  him  surprize,  and  at  last  without  disguise  of  his  acting 
contrary  to  yours  and  my  wishes  and  inclinations — all  however 
to  no  purpose.  I  have  therefore  with  much  regret  to  return 
you  the  letter  addressed  to  Joseph,  your  other  Packet  to  the 
Dep.  Paymaster  General  was  sent  to  him. 

I  congratulate  you  on  the  arrival  of  the  Dallis  with  your 
things  —  she  got  up  yesterday  but  has  brought  me  no  Dis- 
patches of  any  consequence.  That  we  must  go  on  with  the 
Indian  business  as  concerted  —  keeping  them  in  good  humour  as 
much  as  possible  and  preaching  up  patience — &  firmness  — 
but  by  no  means  encouraging  tht-ir  breaking  out.  As  to 
anything  you  may  think  proper  to  do  to  retain  those  Chiefs  & 
others  of  influence,  or  to  effect  these  purposes  above  mentioned, 
I  shall  most  readily  acquiesce  in.  With  respect  to  the  tools 
you  speak  of  that  were  by  mistake  inserted  in  the  Loyalists 
Invoice,  orders  shall  be  given  in  consequence  of  your  repre- 
sentation to  this  effect  to  deliver  .up  the  remainder  of  them  not 
actually  issued  for  the  use  of  the  Indians  on  your  order;  as 
likewise  to  comply  with  your  requisition  for  the  same  purpose 
to  deliver  any  other  articles  out  of  the  stores  reserved  for  the 
use  of  the  Loyalists,  being  perfectly  convinced  that  from  your 
equal  desire  to  supply  and  knowledge  of«the  wants  of  both, 
that  no  partial  use  will  ever  be  made  of  such  discretionary 
latitude  lodged  with  you. 

I  return  you  many   thanks  and  am   most   flattered  by  your 
obliging  professions  and    wishes  to  myself  —  request    you    will 
make  my  respects  to  Lady  Johnson  and  Mrs.  Claus,  and 
I  am  Dear  Sir  with  unfeigned  regard 

Your  very  faithful  and  obedient  humble  servant 
Sir  John  Johnson,  Bart.,  HENRY  HoPE.36 

Superintendent  General,  &c.  &c. 

Joseph  Brant  here  referred  to,  is  generally  recalled  by  the 
striking  incidents  of  his  life. 

A  pure  blooded  Onondaga,  the  son  of  a  chief,  but  educated 
by  Sir  William's  care  at  Dr.  Wheelock's  celebrated  Moor 

s6  General  Hope  was  in  America  in  1775  as  Major  of  the  44th  Foot  (Gen.  Aber- 
crombie's  Regt.),  and  had  seen  much  service  there. 


in  the  Revolution*  197 

school,  he  proved  an  apt  scholar,  soon  fitted  as  an  interpreter 
to  Dr.  Charles  Jeffry  Smith,  a  self  sustaining  young  missionary. 

Gallantly  protecting  him  when  attacked  by  the  Indians,  and 
performing  all  his  duties  satisfactorily  he  won  at  this  period  the 
testimony  of  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland,  "  he  conducted  himself  so 
much  like  a  Christian,  and  a  soldier,  that  he  gained  great  esteem." 

Later,  he  interested  himself  in  the  work  of  the  "  Society  for 
the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  parts  "  and  labored 
with  them  for  the  civilization  of  his  people. 

When  becoming  the  chief  of  the  Six  Nations  he  wielded    a 

O 

great  authority  and  cooperated  with  Sir  William  Johnson,  to 
whom  he  became  allied,  as  well  by  affinity  as  by  gratitude.  In 
their  close  association  he  doubtless  developed  the  appreciation 
of  the  position  of  his  people,  and  the  capacity  to  vindicate  it  with 
an  able  pen.37  He  visited  England  in  1775,  and  again  as  that  let- 
ter shows  at  the  end  of  the  war, attracting  distinguished  attention 

37  This  letter  as  to  the  rights   of  his  people  and  his  own  appreciation  of  honorable 
dealing  is  an  example. 
SIR  :  NASSAU,  30  December ,  1794. 

Your  letters  of"  the  I7th  &  zoth  November,  '94,  from  Konondaigua,  I  have  now 
before  me  and  have  to  say,  that  at  all  of  our  meetings  during  the  whole  of  last 
summer,  our  thoughts  were  solely  bent  on  fixing  a  boundary  line  between  the  con- 
federate Indians  and  the  United  States,  so  as  that  peace  might  be  established  on  a 
solid  basis,  for  which  reason  we  pointed  out  the  line  we  did,  well  knowing  the  justness 
of  it  and  that  it  would  be  ratify 'd  by  the  whole  Indian  confederacy. 

As  an  individual  I  must  regret  to  find  that  the  Boundary  so  pointed  out  has  now 
been  abandoned,  the  establishing  of  which  I  am  well  convinced  would  have  been  the 
means  of  bringing  about  a  lasting  and  permanent  peace.  Thii  object  so  earnestly  to  be 
desired  has  ever  made  me  exert  every  nerve,  wishing  for  nothing  more  than  mutual 
justice.  This  line  you'' II  recollect  was  offered  to  Governor  St.  Clair  at  Muskingum,  and 
notwithstanding  the  two  successful  campaigns  of  the  Indians  after  this,  I  still  adhered  to  the 
same  and  still  do,  this  I  hope  will  satisfy  you  that  my  wish  ever  was  for  Peace,  the  offer 
made  'was  rejected  by  Mr.  St  Clair,  and  •what  the  consequences  has  been  you  well  know, 
I  should  be  sorry  if  your  efforts  were  crowned  with  no  better  success,  'as  your  exertions 
1  hope  are  not  influenced  by  similar  motives  with  his.  You  must  also  recollect  that  I 
differed  even  -with  my  friends  respecting  this  Boundary,  and  to  the  two  last  messages  you 
then  received  my  name  was  to  neither  of  them,  because  I  thought  them  too  unreasonable, 
this  made  me  take  more  pains  and  trouble  to  bring  the  Indians  and  you  to  an  understand- 
ing than  I  was  under  any  obligation  to  do  —  other-wise  than  humanity  dictated  to  me, 
having  nothing  but  our  mutual  interest  in  view,  and  as  to  Politics  I  study  them  not,  my 


198  Tories  or  Loyalists 

partially  from  his  reputation,  but  also  as  the  chief  of  the  best 
known  tribes  of  the  American  Savages,  a  lion  worthy  of  ex- 
hibition. He  probably  realized  then,  as  he  appears  to  have  done, 
in  all  the  different  duties  he  performed,  as  their  ruler  and  protec- 
tor, their  inferiority  to  the  white  man  from  the  want  of  that 
education,  which  made  him  sensitive  as  to  their  ignorance. 

His  visit,  however,  was  marked  with  much  appreciation. 
The  King  received  him,  with  good  humor,  even  when  he  refused 
to  kiss  his  hand,  but  offered  that  mark  of  homage  to  the  Queen. 
The  Duke  of  Northumberland,  Lords  Dorchester  and  Hastings 
and  General  Stewart — the  son  of  Bute  —  who  had  all  served 

principle  is  founded  on  justice,  and  justice  is  all  I  -wish  for,  and  never  shall  I  exert 
myself  on  behalf  of  any  nation  or 'nations,  let  their  opinion  of  me  be  'what  it  "will,  unless 
I  plainly  see  they  are  just  and  sincere  in  their  pursuits,  doing  ivhat  in  every  respect  to 
justice  may  belong.  When  I  perceive  such  are  the  sentiments  of  a  People  no  endeavors 
shall  be  "wanting  on  my  part  to  bring  neighbors  to  a  good  understanding. 

I  must  again  repeat  that  I  am  extremely  sorry  this  Boundary  so  long  since  pointed 
out,  should  have  been  abandoned,  it  being  an  c.bject  of  such  magnitude  and  which 
much  depends  on  the  whole  Indian  confederacy  being  interested.  I  should  therefore 
have  supposed  it  would  have  been  more  tor  our  mutual  interest  and  would  have  had 
a  better  effect,  to  have  dealt  upon  a  larger  scale,  than  within  the  small  compass  of 
the  Five  Nations,  the  meeting  being  intended  solely  to  talk  over  the  business 
of  the  Boundary  and  then  to  have  acquainted  the  whole  confederacy  with  what 
had  passed,  so  that  something  final  could  have  been  determined  on  as  all  that 
part  of  the  country  is  common  to  the  whole.  You  say  on  your  part  everything  has 
been  openly  and  fairly  explained  and  that  you  shall  be  disappointed  if  the  Chiefs  do 
not  acknowledge  your  candour,  I  can  for  my  own  part  form  no  opinion,  whether  it 
is  so  or  not,  being  perfectly  ignorant  of  ivbat  has  passed,  but  ever  look  upon  it  that 
business  fairly  transacted  should  be  adhered  to  as  sacred.  And  that  you  are  still  ready 
to  make  peace  with  the  Western  Nations,  this  has  made  me  say  much  about  the 
Boundary  line,  in  order  that  peace  and  friendship  might  be  established  between  you, 
this  obliges  me  to  say  they  ought  to  have  been  included  in  this  treaty  and  to  have 
been  consulted  with  as  well  as  those  who  were  there,  they  being  equally  interested 
with  the  Six  Nations  as  to  this  line.  As  to  the  British  they  are  an  independent  nation, 
as  iveil  as  the  United  States  or  the  Indian  Nations  and  of  course  act  for  themselves  as 
all  other  IVhitejiations  do.  My  mentioning  in  my  letter  to  you  that  I  was  sorry  Mr. 
Johnson  was  looked  upon  as  a  Spy,  was  because  I  knew  the  Five  Nations  so  often 
erred  in  their  transactions  with  the  White  People,  it  being  myself  in  person  from 
the  wish  of  the  Indians  that  requested  Mr.  Johnson  should  go  to  the  Treaty  in  con- 
sequence of  which  request  he  was  permitted.  I  was  well  aware  at  the  same  time  of 
the  reception  he  would  meet  with,  as  we  are  an  independent  People  I  ever  thought 
our  Council  should  be  private,  but  must  at  the  same  time  say,  we  have  an  un- 


in  the  Revolution.  199 

in  America,  greeted  him  as  a  brother  veteran  and  Lords  War- 
wick and  Percy,  and  Dr.  Johnson's  James  Boswell,  ordered  his 
portraits,  the  last,  a  high  testimony  that  he  was  a  "  lion.'? 

Yet  doubtless  he  realized  his  own  questionable  position, 
when  seeking  any  trust,  with  his  cultivated  nature  disguised  by 
the  face  of  a  savage.  The  accompanying  letter  of  Washing- 
ton displays  the  general  want  of  confidence  in  them,  by  all 
who  were  prejudiced  against  his  race. 

He  adhered  to  the  British  Government  throughout  the  war, 
and  after  the  Treaty  of  Peace,  in  which  no  provision  was  made 
as  to  the  territory  of  his  people,  struggled  to  retain  what  they 
had  formerly  possessed.  The  indefiniteness  of  the  Treaty  line, 

doubted  right  to  admit  at  our  Councils  who  we  please  —  of  course  the  United  States 
have  it  optional  whether  they  will  treat  or  not  with  any  Nation  or  Nations  when 
Foreign  Agents  are  present. 

You  seem  to  think  in  your  letter  of  the  aoth  that  the  Senekas  are  the  Nation  most 
concerned  in  the  Trusts  in  question  agreeable  to  the  lines  you  point  out.  At  the  differ- 
ent Treaties  held  since  the  year  '83  I  allow  the  Senekas  from  their  proceedings  seemed 
to  be  the  only  Nation  concerned  in  that  country,  although  the  whole  Five  Nations 
have  an  equal  right,  one  with  the  other,  the  country  having  been  obtained  by  the 
joint  exertions  in  war  with  a  Powerful  Nation  formerly  living  southward  of  Buffalo 
Creek  called  Eries  and  another  Nation  then  living  at  Tioga  Point,  so  that  by  our 
successes  all  the  country  between  that  and  the  Mississippi  became  the  joint  property 
of  the  Five  Nations,  all  other  nations  now  inhabiting  this  great  Tract  of  (Country 
was  allowed  to  settle  by  the  Five  Nations. 

This  I  hope  will  convince  you  that  the  Mohawks  have  an  equal  claim  and  right 
to  receive  in  proportion  with  the  others  of  the  Five  Nations,  but  as  I  am  ignorant  of 
the  Transaction,  knowing  nothing  of  what  has  passed  and  what  was  the  result  of  the 
Treaty,  must  therefore  defer  saying  anything  further  on  the  subject  until  I  know  the 
particulars,  which  I  hope  will  be  ere  long.  As  to  the  others  of  the  Five  Nations 
residing  on  the  Grand  River  they  must  answer  for  themselves.  I  am  not  so  par- 
ticular in  this  as  I  might  be,  seeing  no  great  necessity  for  it,  as  I  hope  to  see  General 
Chapin  ere  long.  In  reading  the  Speech  you  have  sent  me  I  perceive  that  you  say 
we  requested  you  might  be  sent  to  Kindle  the  Council  Fire  &c.  This  I  know  to  be 
a  mistake,  in  our  speech  to  General  Chapin  we  wished  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  send  a  Commissioner  to  our  Fire  Place  at  Buffaloe  Creek  (your  name  being 
mentioned).  Not  that  you  was  to  come  and  kindle  a  Council  Fire  elsewhere  —  & 
that  you  requested  our  assistance  to  bring  about  a  Peace,  &c.  —  You  did  and  every- 
thing has  been  done  by  us  faithfully  and  sincerely  by  pointing  out  the  Medicine  that 
would  accomplish  it,  your  relinquishing  parts  of  your  claims  in  the  Indian  Country. 
You  also  say  I  told  Genl  Chapin  at  fflnnys  that  it  -was  the  British  that  prevented  the 
Treaty  taking  place.  I  said  so  then  and  still  do.  What  enabled  me  to  say  so  toat  the 
Gentlemen  belonging  to  the  Indian  Department  in  that  quarter  interfering  in  the  business. 


2oo  Tories  or  Loyalists 

which  long  remained  as  flexible  as  a  wire  fence,  moved  back 
and  forth  at  will,  even  looking  for  the  sources  of  the  Mississippi 
at  the  Lake  of  the  Woods,  instead  of  Itaska  lake,  far  below,  and 
which  required  four  subsequent  treaties,  an  arbitration,  and  a 
war,  to  settle  ;  seems  a  reasonable  cause  for  discussions,  attempts 
at  treaties,  and  long  complications. 

These  letters  to  Colonels  Pickering  and  Monroe  are  merely 
suggestions  of  the  many  records  existing  of  his  capacity  and 
persistency,  in  seeking  to  protect  and  retain  what  his  forefathers 
had  held  by  an  undisputed  title,  before  even  the  Johnsons  had 
come  with  the  authority  of  conquest,  to  divide  it. 

When  Gist,  the  companion  of  Washington,  was  exploring  the 
valley  of  the  Ohio,  in  1752,3  Delaware  chief  demanded  of  him: 

Had  the  line  as  pointed  out  by  us  been  accepted  by  the  United  States  their  interference 
mould  not  have  prevented  Peace  then  taking  place  as  the  Five  Nations  had  pledged 
themselves  to  see  it  ratified.  As  to  the  business  of  the  White  Nations  I  perceive  it  at 
present  to  be  a  lottery  which  vj'ill  be  uppermost  cannot  be  known  until  drawn,  the  most 
powerful  no  doubt  will  succeed,  but  let  who  -will  be  successful  our  situation  is  the  same,  as 
we  still  have  -whites  to  deal  with  whose  aims  are  generally  similar.  You  mention  the 
People  of  France  took  the  Indian  method.  All  their  "warriors  turned  out.  The  Indian 
warriors  are  always  ready  to  turn  out  to  defend  their  just  rights.  But  Indian  -warriors 
would  not  be  ready  to  Butcher  in  an  inhuman  shocking  manner  their  King,  £%ueen, 
Nobles  and  others,  this  is  acting  -worse  than  -what  is  called  Savage.  The  Indians  are 
not  entirely  destitute  of  humanity,  but  from  every  appearance  it  has  jled  from  France.  I 
must  therefore  say  the  French  have  not  acted  as  the  Indians  do.  You  likewise  mention 
that  you  told  the  Deputies  from  the  Westward  who  met  you  at  this  place,  that 
though  you  was  willing  to  run  a  new  line  yet  it  was  impossible  to  make  the  Ohio 
the  Boundary,  this  I  believe  is  a  mistake  as  the  word  Ohio  was  never  mentioned  at 
that  time.  You  may  rest  assured  that  I  do  not  swerve  from  any  expressions  I  have 
made  use  of.  I  know  the  necessity  for  being  candid,  especially  at  this  critical  juncture. 
I  still  earnestly  hope  that  Peace  may  be  established  -without  further  bloodshed  £f  that 
Friendship  may  reign  between  the  People  of  the  United  States  and  the  Indian  Nations, 
this  be  assured  is  the  Sincere  wish  of 

Sir,  Your  Most  Obedient 

Humble  Servant 
Timothy  Pickering,  Esqr.  Jos.  BRANT. 

Col.  Pickering  had  been  employed  for  some  years  in  these  negotiations  as  being  a 
member  of  the  President's  Cabinet  as  Post  Master  General  and  in  this  year  made 
Secretary  of  War.  Another  very  interesting  and  able  letter  of  Brant  to  Colonel 
James  Monroe  in  four  neatly  written  pages  is  omitted,  as  partially  printed  in  the  ad 
Vol.  of  hit  Life. 


in  the  Revolution.  201 

"  Where  are  the  lands  of  the  Indians  ?  the  French  claim  all  on 
one  side  of  the  river,  and  the  English  all  on  the  other."*8 
Such  was  the  position  of  the  heritage  which  Brant  believing 
that  he  was  born  to  maintain  and  transmit,  was  then  loosing. 

Failing,  as  many  have  done  before  and  since,  he  retired  into 
Canada  and  spent  his  later  years  under  the  protection  of  those 
with  whom  he  had  made  common  cause,  but  personally  so 
delicately  accepting  their  bounty,  as  in  one  instance  to  question 
his  own  right  to  a  pension,  as  a  retired  military  officer. 

Thomas  Campbell,  lived  to  correct  —  in  afoot  note  —  his 
record  of  Brant's  cruelty,  in  his  widely  read  "  Gertrude  of 
Wyoming,'"'  but  its  subject  who  had  grieved  over  it,  had  died 
too  soon  for  the  comforting  retraction.  His  absence  on  that 
occasion,  threw  the  weight  of  the  massacre  on  a  white  savage, 
Colonel  John  Butler,  who  doubtless  had  the  same  authority  as 
that  conferred  on  his  kinsman  and  subordinate  by  the  commis- 
sion annexed.39 

Brant  was,  however,  present  at  the  battle  of  Minisink,  where 
great  cruelty  was  displayed,  for  which  he  has  been  censured. 
If  he  was  responsible  for  it,  it  detracts  from  many  other  evi- 
dences of  his  humanity  in  warfare,  and  shows  the  trace  of 
the  savage  element  in  his  character,  when  fired  by  war. 

38  Griswold  and  Lossing's  Washington. 

39  This  commission  indicating  care  in  its  instructions,  now  unusual  in  such  documents, 
and  wear  from  use.  is  that  of   Walter  Butler,  noted  both  for  his  efficiency  and  cruelty, 
killed   at    Canada    Creek,   on   the  2,9th  of  October,   1781,  by  a  force   under    Col. 
Marinus  Willctt,  while    retreating  from    a  raid  to  Warren's   Bush,  and    his  former 
home,  in  the  year  succeeding  the  expedition  of  Sir   John. 

GUY  CARLETON,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief  of  the 
province  of  Quebec  and  Territories  depending  thereon,  &c.,  &c.,  General  and  Com- 
mander in-Chief  of  his  Majesty's  Fones  in  said  Province  and  the  Frontiers  thereof 
&c.,  &c.  To  WALTER  BUTLER,  ESQ..,  Greeting: 

Reposing  special  trust  and  Ccnnder.ie,in  your  Loyalty,  Courage  and  good  Conduct, 
I  do  by  these  Presents  Constitute  and  appoint  you  to  be  Captain  in  a  Corps  of  Ranger  i 


2O2  Tories  or  Loyalists 

He  would  appear  to  have  been  a  man  of  large  capacity  ;  and 
his  record  a  noticeable  evidence  of  the  result  of  its  development 
in  time  of  peace,  by  the  same  wise  appliances,  now  interesting 
to  examine  in  use,  at  the  school  at  Hampton,  Va.,  in  charge  of 
General  Armstrong,  and  probably  at  the  two  others,  at  Forest 
Grove  for  the  western,  and  Carlisle  for  the  eastern  section. 
Such  efforts,  are  in  accordance  with  the  dying  suggestions  of 
Brant  to  his  nephew,  "  Have  pity  on  the  poor  Indians  ;  if  you 
can  get  any  influence  with  the  great,  endeavor  to  do  them  all 
the  good  you  can." 

His  life  by  Colonel  Stone,  a  work  of  singular  interest,  gives  full 
detail  of  his  career,  in  part  early  collected  in  his  old  neighbor- 
hood—  a  fine  edition  of  it  printed  by  the  late  Joel  Munsell, 
of  Albany,  largely  with  his  own  hand,  assists  to  cause  the 
latter  to  be  recalled  by  some  collectors,  as  the  Albany 
"Caxton." 

It  is  just  to  record  a  dissenting  opinion  as  to  the  proper  treat- 
ment of  the  remaining  Aboriginees.  It  differs  from  those  of 
Colonel  Brisbane,  and  other  regular  officers  who  have  served 
amongst  them,  and  of  some  who  have  visited  the  border  posts 
and  studied  the  effect  of  the  contact  of  races.  Captain  Payne 

to  serve  with  the  Indians  during  the  Rebellion.  Whereof  John  Butler,  Esq.,  is 
Major  Commandant.  You  are  therefore  carefully  and  diligently  to  discharge  the  duty 
of  captain  by  exercising  and  well  disciplining  both  the  Inferior  Officers  and  Soldiers  of 
that  Corps,  and  I  do  hereby  command  them  to  obey  you  as  their  Captain,  and  you 
are  to  observe  and  follow  such  Orders  and  directions  as  you  shall  from  Time  to  Time 
receive  from  me,  your  Major  Commandant,  or  any  other  Superior  Officer,  according 
to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  War.  In  pursuance  of  the  trust  hereby  reposed  in  you. 
Given  under  my  hand  and  Seal  at  Arms,  at  Quebec,  this  twentieth  day  of  Decem- 
ber, 1777,  and  in  the  Eighteenth  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  George 
the  Third,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  King, 
Defender  of  the  Faith,  and  so  forth,  GUY  CARLETON. 

By  His  Excellency's  Command,  FRANCIS  LE  MAISTRE.      « 

Walter  Butler,  Esq.,  Captain  of  a  Corps  of  Rangers,  to  serve  with  the  Indians 
during  the  Rebellion. 


in  the  Revolution.  203 

recently    arrested   by  our  troops   when   raiding   in   the   Indian 
Territory,  and  affecting  to  be  a  humane  man  in  his  way,  says : 

"  Tell  the  Herald,  that  the  policy  of  myself  and  fol- 
lowers is  not  to  resist  the  government,  so  we  came  along 
with  the  troops  when  we  were  told  to  come. 
"  There  is  a  class  of  people  who  are  eternally  howling  that 
they  are  afraid  the  white  man  may  crowd  the  Indian.  They 
are  the  people  who  sit  in  their  houses,  cut  their  coupons  and 
read  gush  about  the  poor  Indian.  They  don't  want  farms  and 
a  living,  they  have  already  got  them  and  have  no  sympathy  for 
those  who  are  poor  and  want  homes.  They  would  rather  see 
the  poor  man  starve,  than  to  have  their  picture  of  the  noble 
redman  chasing  the  wild  gazelle  over  an  eternal  meadow  with 
a  babbling  brook,  destroyed." 

The  writer  must  be  aware  that  while  the  area  of  the  Indian 
Territory  is  less  than  69,000  square  miles,  that  of  Texas  is 
274,356,  large  enough  it  would  appear,  for  the  accommodation 
ot  the  rights  of  the  settler,  and  the  native.  That  there  is  a 
vast  area  of  land  in  the  west  and  south-west,  already  open  "  to 
those  who  want  farms."  If  any  person  desires  to  trace  the 
origin  and  progress  of  such  methods  as  he  proposes,  for 
securing  the  territory  of  the  "  noble  red  man,"  without 
consideration  or  equivalent,  he  can  find  them  successively 
detailed  in  this  "  Life  of  Brant,"  and  many  other  works  referring 
to  the  same  period.  If  such  acquisitions  are  still  indispensible 
to  the  progress  of  civilization,  might  we  not  devise  a  way  of 
acquiring  the  territory  consistent  with  its  teachings,  which  would 
be  more  creditable  in  future  history  than  that  of  involving 
constant  collision  and  shedding  of  blood. 
26 


2c>4-  Tories  or  Loyalists 

Lord  Sydney  simply  recognizes  Johnson's  official  position, 
in  fixing  a  temporary  salary,  which  even  with  the  difference 
in  the  value  of  money,  would  be  a  moderate  compensation  now 
for  a  subordinate  civil  officer. 


WHITEHALL,  20  August,  1785. 
SIR: 

I  am  sorry  that  it  is  not  in  my  power  before  your  departure 
for  Quebec,  to  acquaint  you  that  some  decision  had  taken  place 
with  respect  to  your  salary  as  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs. 
I  hope  that  it  will  very  shortly  be  fixed,  in  the  meantime  I  am 
authorized  to  inform  you  that  you  may  draw  upon  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief in  Canada,  for  the  usual  salary  of  One  Thousand 
pounds  per  annum,  until  you  receive  further  direction  from  me. 
I  flatter  myself  that  I  shall  be  able  to  write  to  you  fully  upon 
this  subject  by  the  next  Packet  that  sails  for  Quebec,  and  you 
may  be  assured  that  no  endeavour  of  mine  will  be  wanting  to 
obtain  the  augmentation  of  your  salary  which  you  desire,  and 
place  it  upon  a  permanent  footing,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with 
regard, 

Sir,  Your  Most  Obedient 

Humble  Servant, 

SYDNEY.*5 

Sir  John  Johnson,  Bart. 


No  British  officer  in  service  in  the  Revolution,  would  appear 
to  have  left  America  with  more  reciprocal  hostile  feeling  than 
General  Gage,  the  earliest  commander  of  the  King's  Troops 
in  that  war.  The  certificate  of  his  son  has  no  interest,  beyond 
a  reference  to  his  father's  habit  of  business. 

v  Hon.  Thomas  Townshend  who  on  the  dissolution  of  Lord  North's  ministry  had 
become  Lord  Sydney. 


in  the  Revolution.  205 

GENERAL  GAGE'S  CERTIFICATE  TO  SIR  JOHN'S  DEPUTY. 

I  certify  that  Colonel  Guy  Johnson  took  an  active  part  in 
favour  of  the  British  Government  from  the  first  appearance  of 
a  Revolt  in  North  America,  that  he  did  his  duty  as  became  a 
faithful  Subject  in  his  Department  of  Superintendent  of  Indian 
Nations  and  kept  those  Tribes  in  his  Majestys  Interest  and 
defeated  the  Endeavors  of  the  Rebels  to  alienate  their  affections 
from  the  King,  and  to  induce  them  to  appear  in  Arms  against 
his  Government.  That  he  assembled  a  large  Body  of  Indians 
and  joined  General  Carlton  in  Canada. 

THOS  GAGE. 
Given  under  my  hand  this  2ist  day  of  June  1785. 


.VlR.  CHEW41  attorney  for  Sir  John  Johnson  having  applied  to 
me  for  copies  of  the  accounts  which  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Super 
Intendent  for  Indian  Affairs  transmitted  to  my  father  General 
Gage  deceased  during  his  Commanding  His  Majestys  Troops 
in  America,  and  for  copies  of  the  Warrants  he  gave  for  the 
Payment  thereof,  I  can  only  say  that  my  fathers  papers  have 
not  come  immediately  under  my  inspection  or  can  I  say  posi- 
tively whether  the  copies  of  those  Accounts  and  Warrants  are 
with  them,  but  am  certain  that  it  was  a  Rule  with  him  to  see 
accounts  made  clear  and  plain  and  when  he  gave  Warrants  for 
the  Payment  the  Warrants  were  annexed  to  the  Accounts  and 
transmitted  by  him  to  the  Pay  Office  in  London  where  they 
now  no  doubt  may  be  found. 

H.  GAGE* 

Old  Aboresford  Nov.  16,  1787. 

To  Mr.  Chew,  Attorney  to  Sir  John  Johnson. 

**  Captain  Joseph  Chew,  a  prisoner  to  the  French  when  commanding  a  detachment 
reconnoitering  19  June,  1747.  A  legatee  of  250  acres  in  Sir  William  JTohnson's  will, 
as  his  "  much  esteemed  friend  and  old  acquaintance  "  and  rather  of  his  god  son. 
Also  one  of  the  executors. 

**  Henry  Viscount  Gage,  retired  Major  of  the  93  Regt.  of  Foot,  a  grandson  of 
Peter  Kemble  of  the  Kings  Council  of  New  Jersey,  also  the  ancestor  of  the  late 
well  esteemed  Gouverneur  Kemble,  of  New  York. 


2o6  Tories  or  Loyalists 

Three  of  these  jetsams  of  Time,  suggest  the  continued  ex- 
pense which  Great  Britain  was  incurring  in  the  charge  of  her 
Indian  population  even  in  time  of  peace,  and  whether  it  was 
in  consideration  of  their  former  service  in  war. 

Guy,    Lord  Dorchester    General  and   Commander-in-chief  of  his 
Majesty's  Forces  in  North  America. 

To  Thomas  Boone,  Deputy  Paymaster  General,  etc.,  War- 
rant to  pay  Sir  John  Johnson,  etc.,  etc.,  Nine  Thousand  pounds 
sterling  in  dollars  at  4^.  8</.,  each,  for  services  of  "  persons  em- 
ployed and  sundry  disbursements  of  the  Department  of  Indian 
Affairs  under  his  auperintendency  between  25th  Dec.,  1786, 
and  24th  March,  1787." 

Quebec,  gth  November,  1786. 

DORCHESTER. 

To  the  R'ight  Honorable  Guy,  Lord  Dorchester,  Cap;  General  and 
Governor-in-  Chief  of  the  Colonies  of  Quebec,  Nova  Scotia*  Nev> 
Brunswick  £ff  their  Dependencies,  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same 
General  and  Commander-in- Chief  of  all  His  Majesty s  Forces  in 
Said  Colonies  &  in  the  Island  of  Newfoundland  &c  &c. 

The  Memorial  of  Sir  John  Johnson  Baronet  Superintendent 
General  &  Inspector  General  of  Indian  Affairs. 

Humbly  Sheweth.  That  your  Memorialist  is  in  want  of 
£4319  5^.  %d.  sterling  to  enable  him  to  pay  Persons  employed  in 
the  Department  of  Indian  Affairs  under  his  Superintendency 
between  the  25  December  1786  and  24  December  1787  as  per 
abstract  annexed.  We  therefore  pray  your  Excellencys  Warrant 
on  the  Deputy  Paymaster  General  for  the  above  sum. 

JOHN  JOHNSON. 

QUEBEC  16  April,  1788. 

ANOTHER  ORDER  by  Lord  Dorchester,  in  favor  of  Sir  John 
as  Superintendent  and  Inspector  General  of  Indian  Affairs, 
for  Two  Thousand  pounds,  for  incidental  expenses,  between 
25th  December,  1786,  and  24th  December,  1787. 


in  the  Revolution.  207 

Both  signed  by  Dorchester  and  Captain  Francis  Le  Maistre, 
the  Governor's  A.  D.  C.  and  Secretary  and  endorsed  by  Sir 
John  Johnson. 

This  doubtless  to  be  used  in  a  claim  for  indemnity,  refers 
to  a  useful  officer  of  the  British  Government  in  Canada  during 
the  Revolution. 

In  the  Exchequer       In  the  matter  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  Baronet, 

,- ^  the  legal    personal  representative  of  Sir 

STAMP  William     Johnson,     Baronet,     his     late 

Father,  deceased,  late   Superintendent  of 
Indian  Affairs  in  North  America. 

Thomas  Wallis,  late  Assistant  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary 
to  the  Commander-in-Chief  in  North  America,  now  of  Hertford 
street,  Mayfair,  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  Gentleman, 
maketh  oath  and  saith,  that  he  has  known  General  Sir  Frederick 
Haldimand  for  fourteen  years  and  that  the  words  and  figures 
"London  the  I4th  of  August,  1787,"  and  the  name  "Fred 
Haldimand  "  a\  pearing  to  be  written  and  subscribed  at  the  foot 
of  the  account  and  certificate  marked  with  the  letter  X  now 
produced,  are  the  proper  handwriting  of  the  said  General  Sir 
Fred  Haldimand,43  and  were  written  and  subscribed  by  him  in 
the  presence  of  this  deponent,  and  the  said  General  Sir  Fred 
Haldimand  after  he  had  so  subscribed  the  same,  delivered  the 
said  produced  account  and  certificate  to  this  deponent,  and 
directed  him  to  deliver  the  same  to  Mr.  Chew,  attorney  to  the 
said  Sir  William  Johnson.  THOS.  WALLIS. 

Sworn  at  my  house  in  St.  John  street  1 
the  nth  April,  1788,  before  me.  j 

J.  A.  EYRE. 

Sir  John  here  appears  in  a  civil  office  usually  awarded  in 
British  Colonies,  as  a  mark  of  especial  consideration. 

43  Born  and  died  at  Switzerland,  at  first  in  Prussian  service,  but  entered  the  Eng- 
lish with  Col.  Bouquet.  Came  to  America  as  Lt.  Col.  60  Royal  American  Regt.  in 
1757  ;  distinguished  at  Ticonderoga  in  1750;  defended  Oswego  in  1759  ;  with 
Amherst  at  Montreal  in  1760;  as  Colonel  at  Pensacola  1767  ;  home  informing  min- 
istry as  to  Colonies  in  1775  ;  b  ick  as  Lieut.  General  in  1776;  succeeded  Carleton  as 
Gov.  of  Canada  in  1778  and  until  1784  ;  died  in  1791. 


208  Tories  or  Loyalists 

QUEBEC,  i  May,  1787. 

RECEIVED  from  Henry  CaldwelJ,  Esq.,  Acting  Receiver 
General  of  the  Province  of  Quebec  the  sum  of  Fifty  Pounds 
Sterling,  being  for  my  Salary  as  a  Member  of  the  Legislative 
Council  of  the  Province,  from  ist  November,  1786,  to  30 
April,  1787,  pursuant  to  his  Excellency,  Governor  Lord 
Dorchester's  warrant  dated  ist  May  1787,  for  which  I  have 
signed  Two  Receipts  of  this  Tenor  and  Date. 
£50  Sterling.  JOHN  JOHNSON. 

Apparently  a  moderate  compensation  compared  with  that  of 
later  law-makers,  and  especially  well  earned  if  the  quality  of 
legislation  was  equivalent  to  its  quantity.  In  this  it  would 
markedly  differ  from  much  that  has  been  condensed  into  portly 
volumes  as  the  brain  food  offered  by  the  deliberative  wisdom  of 
other  bodies  when  sitting  for  a  similar  period.  Perhaps  he 
divined  how  much  easier  it  is  to  enact,  than  in  all  cases  to 
comprehend.  How  doubtful  the  intention  of  the  law  maker  often 
proves  to  others,  and  how  much  special  legislation  is  rendered 
unnecessary  by  general  acts,  if  sought  for.  He  doubtless  dis- 
covered, as  many  legislators  have,  that  there  were  more  debaters 
than  listeners,  more  movers  than  seconders,  and  that  it  is  easier 
to  criticise  than  to  originate. 

The  remaining  letter  borrowed  from  a  friend's  exhaustive 
collection  of  Americana  merely  displays  neighborly  kindness 
to  one  who  sympathised  in  sentiment  and  destiny,  by  taking 
refuge  from  imprisonment  for  political  offences  in  Canada  with 
the  writer. 

DR  SIR  JOHNSONS  HALL  25  July  1775. 

The  bearer  will  deliver  you  some  provisions  &  clothes  and 
Mr  Clement  will  give  you  a  paper  containing  a  Ten  pound  note 
which  I  received  from  Mrs  White  this  morning.  The  Indians 
having  desired  some  cash  from  me  to  expend  when 'they  come 


in  the  Revolution.  209 

amongst  the  inhabitants  in  Canada,  which  I  have  not  to  give 
them  I  must  beg  you  will  supply  them  &  charge  it  to  Colonel 
Johnson.  If  you  have  forgot  anything  and  I  can  be  of  service 
to  you  I  beg  you'll  mention  it.  God  bless  you. 

To  Alexander  White  Esq.  Yrs  J.  JOHNSON. " 

These  random  notes  as  to  the  Johnsons  suggest  reflections  as 
to  the  quality  of  loyalty,  even  in  an  adversary,  to  one  whose 
sympathies,  studies  and  collections,  have  for  years  been  de- 
voted to  appreciative  illustration  of  the  achievements  of  their 
opponents  and  a  jealous  watchfulness  to  their  use.  Although 
sketched  from  a  different  standpoint,  he  trusts  that  his  conclu- 
sions will  accord  with  those  which  a  friend  is  preparing  under 
different  inspirations,  at  a  point  too  remote  for  comparison. 
The  absence  of  Memoirs,  Diaries,45  and  even  of  comprehensive 
letters  on  these  details  is  to  be  regretted. 

44  This  and  one  other  letter  belonging  to  Dr.  Thomas  Addis  Emmett,  all  of  the  other 
letters  and  papers  in  that  of  the  contributor.  As  to  Sheriff  White  and  the  circum- 
stances under  which  it  was  written,  vide  Stone's  "  Life  of  Brant,"  Vol.  I,  pp. 
101-6-7—12,  364. 

45  There  appears  to  be  a  resemblance  —  probably  often  noticed  by  others,  between 
the  useful  oyster  fisher,  who  delves  with  his  rake  into  the  muddy  bottom,  for  the 
bivalve  and  the  less  widely  appreciated  labor  of  one  who  dives  for  costly  pearls  in 
the  turbid  waters  of  forgotten  fact. 

Many  amateur  Collectors  of  fragmentary  history  are  scattered  over  the  country 
purchasing  and  articulating  disjointed  material,  and  quietly  working  with  the  devotion 
voluntarily  displayed  by  Old  Mortality  in  bis  specialty  of  restoring  the  dilapidated 
tombstones  of  people  he  had  never  seen.  No  writer  on  American  History  has  eluci- 
dated more  epitaphs  of  the  humbler  patriots,  than  Dr.  Lossing,  whose  "Field  Books" 
are  in  effect,  Biographical  Lexicons. 

Another  instance  of  a  renaissance  of  valuable  historical  waifs,  germain  to 
the  na  ne  of  Burgoyne,  elsewhere  referred  to,  as  connected  with  one  associated 
with  his  career  once  as  his  fellow  soldier,  then  his  conqueror,  and  styled 
by  him  his  "  Accoucheur  !  "  A  large  portion  of  the  military  papers,  and  order 
books,  of  General  Gates,  after  slumbering  in  his  muniment  box  for  over  threescore 
years,  had  recently  a  new  birth,  in  falling  into  the  remarkable  Emmet  Collection. 

A  part  of  them  through  the  active  enterprise  of  Mr.  John  Austin  Stevens,  were 
used  to  add  value  of  the  word  "Resurgam  "  by  their  publication  in  the  October, 
1880  —  Gates  —  number  of  the  "  Magazine  of  American  History."  They 
arise  to  dispel  many  errors,  disseminated  in  American  History.  •  They  show, 
that  after  his  probably  ill-advised  advance  at  Camden,  when  driven  from  a  remote 
part  of  the  field  by  the  precipitate  flight  of  the  North  Carolina  militia  —  con- 


2io  Tories  or  Loyalists 

Without  these  evidences,  many,  intending  to  leave  an  honor- 
able record,  will  always  go  down  to  posterity  as  responsible 
from  their  position,  in  political  or  military  life,  for  action  of  their 
associates,  which  they  personally  abhorred,  perhaps  opposed,  in 
its  progress,  or  at  worst  finally  submitted  to,  from  fear  of 
retaliation,  on  some  proper  object. 

Samuel  Pepys,  who  recorded  in  his  Diary  with  the  ex- 
periences of  an  unimportant  life,  much  random  fact,  some  of 
which  subsequently  become  of  historical  interest,  is  now  being 
recalled  —  two  centuries  later  —  by  the  erection  of  a  Memorial 
in  London,  in  the  place  where  he  worshipped  and  rests.  It  would 
have  been  interesting  if  Johnson  himself,  or  some  Pepysian  an- 
notator  of  events,  sharing  his  confidence  and  his  tent  or  home, 
had  jotted  down  the  circumstances  attending  his  arrest,  parole, 

fronted  by  well  drilled  regulars — ignorant  by  this  separation,  of  the  stand  de  Kalb 
was  making,  with  the  gallant  Maryland  and  Delaware  line  and  a  few  militia,  having 
the  benefit  of  their  near  example,  that  he,  with  General  Caswell  and  other  officers, 
struggled  for  many  miles  to  rally  them,  so  "  flying  "  with  them  before  the  pursuing 
enemy,  in  an  effort  to  bring  them  back.  That  instead  of  his  "  hair  growing  grey  as 
he  fled,"  in  his  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Hillsborough,  2Oth  August,  1780, 
he  says,  "  By  this  time  the  militia  had  taken  to  the  woods  in  all  directions,  and  I 
concluded  with  General  Caswell,  to  retire  towards  Charlotte,  I  got  there  late  in  the 
night  —  but  reflecting  that  there  was  neither  arms,  ammunition,  nor  any  prospect  of 
collecting  any  Force  at  that  Place,  adequate  to  the  defence  of  the  Country  —  I  pro- 
ceeded with  all  possible  despatch  hither  5  to  endeavour  to  fall  upon  some  plan,  in 
conjunction  with  the  Legislature  of  this  State,  for  the  defence  of  so  much  thereof 
as  it  is  yet  possible,  to  save  from  the  enemy."  Whatever  the  error  in  his  strategy 
may  have  been  —  and  it  is  always  easier  to  criticize  than  to  plan,  his  course  from  his 
arrival  seems  by  many  letters  energetic,  and  that  of  one  intent  on  developing 
order  out  of  chaos.  While  mortified  with  the  condition  into  which  he  had  fallen,  he 
does  not  appear  to  have  lost  heart  or  hope,  and  continued  his  exertions  apparently 
conscious  that  his  prestige  as  a  soldier  was  lost,  until  he  was  superceded  by  General 
Greene,  who  reaped  a  harvest  of  laurels  on  the  ground  on  which  his  own  crop  had 
been  blighted. 

A  recently  printed  sketch  of  Colonel  Anthony  Walton  White — who  com- 
manded, with  Col.  Lee,  detachments  of  Continental  Cavalry  lying  near,  and  only 
waiting  for  their  horses  to  have  filled  a  special  want  at  Camden,  and  whose  equip- 
ment appears  to  have  been  a  cause  of  special  anxiety  to  General  Gates  —  published 
with  a  fine  military  portrait  by  Sharpies,  and  prepared  under  the  direction  of  his  grand- 
son, Mr.  Evans,  is  another  interesting  renaissance. 


in  the  Revolution.  211 

and  its  claimed  infringement  or  whether  he  considered  it  violated 
and  withdrawn  by  the  attempted  arrest ;  and  also  if  at  Klocks 
Farm  he  left  the  field  unwounded,  deserting  a  command  with 
which  he  evidently  displayed  marked  courage,  in  the  contest 
of  the  day.  As  to  the  facts  connected  with  the  parole,  careful 
consideration  even  in  the  absence  of  such  evidence,  would 
doubtless  now  convince  any  fair  opponent,  that  the  judgment 
of  some  history  has  been  biased,  by  the  then  obnoxious  position 
of  the  actor. 

It  was  exacted,  by  a  display  of  force,  from  one  who  although 
holding  a  Major  General's  commission,  had  committed  no 
overt  act  of  hostility  against  the  de  facto  government,  existing 
when  he  was  arrested  by  the  order  of  the  '•  Provincial  Con- 
gress "  of  the  State,  and  the  -t  Albany  Committee  "  bodies, 

In  the  field  of  early  southern  history  there  is  probably  no  amateur  —  amongst  the 
many  who  are  quietly  interested  in  similar  labor  —  who  has  more  liberally  con- 
tributed valuable  privately  printed  facts  than  Colonel  Charles  C.  Jones,  Jr.,  of 
Augusta.  His  "Siege  of  Savannah  in  1779,"  and  another  of  that  of  1864,  are 
amongst  his  valuable  works.  While  the  humane  administration  of  General  Ogel- 
thorpe,  the  remarkable  character  who  founded  Georgia,  has  been  largely  recalled  by 
his  pen  ;  his  "  Historical  Sketches  of  Tomo-chi-chi,  the  Mico  of  the  Yamacraws  " — 
an  important  factor  in  American  History  in  his  period,  but  whose  name  now  would 
require  a  special  introduction  even  to  many  general  readers —  affords  testimony,  based 
on  information,  of  the  merit  of  another  Aboriginal  ruler. 

The  correspondence  of  General  Daniel  Morgan,  the  hero  of  Cowpens,  including 
much  of  Washington,  and  Lafayette  especially  his  friend,  having  fallen  into  the  writer's 
collection,  in  a  manner  very  satisfactory  to  his  family,  an  opportunity  was  soon 
availed  of  to  use  it  in  recalling  his  usefulness.  Happening  to  receive  an  invitation 
from  Mayor  Courtenay — a  zealous  appreciator  and  collector  of  Charleston  Historical 
Relics  which  he  liberally  restores  to  their  appropriate  form  and  place — and  a  committee 
of  officers  and  citizens  to  be  present  at  the  centennial  celebration  of  that  battle,  the  key 
to  Yorktown,  it  appeared  that  he  would  be  best  represented,  by  contributing  copies 
of  all  of  the  official  papers  connected  with  that  event.  They  were  recognized,  as  an 
articulate  apparition  of  the  many  writers  amidst  the  scenes  of  their  former  action, 
by  the  posterity  of  mary  of  them  ;  filled  much  of  the  "  Charleston  News  "  of  the 
day,  with  !ocalt\f  old,  intelligence,  and  have  taken  one  hundred  new  chances  of  pre- 
servation in  a  privately  printed  brochure,  neatly  prepared  by  Captain  Dawson  one  of  its 
editors,  who  sympathizes  in  the  past,  while  active  in  his  present.  These  are  re- 
ferred to  here,  merely  as  instances  of  the  value  of  the  preservation,  and  the  recurrence 
of  appropriate  opportunity  to  perform  an  easy  duty. 

27 


212  Tories  or  Loyalists 

created  by  an  uprising  of  an  indignant  people,  and  six  months 
after  that  incident  occurred,  formed  by  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence into  part  of  a  nation  de  jure. 

If  it  had  been  executed  after  that  period,  doubtless  the  sense 
of  obligation  would  have  been  stronger  upon  a  soldier,  but  at 
the  time  the  authority  of  Great  Britain  controlled  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  Colonies  —  restive  under  its  restraint  —  and  its 
local  authorities  were  in  power  at  New  York,  as  in  Canada, 
still  recognized  as  the  only  lawful  rulers  by  a  large  portion  of 
the  people. 

To  a  person  representing  large  interests,  and  the  head  of  a 
family,  this  interregnum  must  have  been  a  period  for  anxiety, 
and  adhering  to  the  old  government,  made  him  a  subject  for 
suspicion  and  dislike,  to  those  who  had  so  aggregated  for  the  as- 
sertion of  grievances,  still  hoping  for  concessions  to  justify  their 
dissolution,  but  preparing  if  necessary,  in  the  impending  struggle 
to  establish  their  permanency.  To  this  administration  of  public 
affairs,  not  yet  made  permanent  by  the  action  of  Congress  on 
the  4th  of  the  ensuing  July,  he  had  refused  to  give  his  ad- 
hesion, to  sign  the  articles  of  association,  or  to  recognize  its  au- 
thority, declaring  that  he  would  "  rather  that  his  head  should 
be  cut  off,"  than  unite  in  a  conflict  with  his  native  government, 
the  authority  of  which  he  doubtless  hoped  would  be  soon  re- 
asserted. In  this,  he  became  an  obstacle  to  the  popular 
movement,  and  was  from  his  influence  and  authority,  a  subject 
for  supression  or  control.  His  every  movement  was  watched 
and  discussed,  and  it  was  claimed  that  he  was  fortifying  his 
house,  organizing  his  retainers,  and  co-operating  with  the 
Indians  for  resistance,  yet  there  is  no  clear  evidence  that  he 


in  the  Revolution.  212* 

pursued  any   course  unusual   to  his  position  as  a  citizen  and  a 
magistrate,  in  troubled  times. 

But  his  presence  was  esteemed  a  danger  in  itself  and  his 
removal  a  necessity  which  knew  no  law.  General  Schuyler 
arrested  him,  with  a  large,  unresisted  military  force,  in 
January,  1776;  he  was  sent  to  Fishkill  and  submitted  to  a 
parole,  not  to  bear  arms  against  the  de  facto  authority  which 
exacted  it,  or  to  leave  the  vicinity  of  his  home.  It  is  probable 
that  he  sought  in  this  an  opportunity  to  arrange  his  affairs,  until 
either  concession  or  suppression  restored  the  authority  of  his 
government.  For  some  causes,  probably  the  continued  suspicion 
of  danger  from  his  private  communications,  his  capture  and  con- 
finement, which  would  have  naturally  terminated  his  protection 
and  the  mutuality  of  his  parole  was  decided  upon,  and  Colonel 
Dayton  stopped  at  the  Hall,  on  his  way  to  Canada,  to  make 
his  arrest,  but  found  that  Johnson,  advised  of  his  coming,  had 
escaped  into  Canada,  the  nearest  accessible  stronghold  of  the 
authority  he  recognized.  His  endurance  of  nineteen  days  of 
terrible  suffering  in  this,  his  winter  journev  through  the  Adi- 
rondacks,  attested  his  physical  courage;  and  the  leaving  all  he 
valued  behind  him,  subordinate  to  a  sense  of  duty,  his 
remarkable  loyalty.  The  romantic  incidents  attending  Lady 
Johnson's  share  in  her  husband's  downfall,  will  doubtless  be 
appropriately  given  by  her  kinsman.  He  cannot  fail  to  show, 
that  her  married  life  justified  the  promise  which  Colonel 
Guy  Johnson  discerned  before  that  event,  when  meeting  her 
while  in  New  York  as  described  in  the  accompanying  letter. 
(  Appendix  A.  ) 

Such  a  parole  enforced  on  a  citizen  by  an  as  yet  temporarily 
constituted   and  semi-representative   body,  and   the   knowledge 


212*  Tories  or  Loyalists 

that  it  was  to  be  substituted  by  imprisonment,  from  precaution 
and  not  for  crime,  would  appear  to  differ  materially  from  one 
exacted  after  conquest  in  the  field,  and  that  its  essence  was 
in  the  application  of  Major  Dugald  Dalgetty's  maxim,  "fides 
et  fiducia  relativa  Sunt." 

Many  expert  military  critics  have  considered  the  question  of 
the  obligations  of  paroles,  with  varied  latitude.  Some  have  pro- 
nounced this  one  no  longer  obligatory  on  a  prisoner,  who  was 
aware  of  its  intended  breach  by  the  giver,  and  that  the  law  of 
nature  overrode  the  dictates  of  a  nice  sense  of  honor  —  best 
appreciated  in  another  —  and  an  escape  after  warning  of  the 
intention  of  the  withdrawal  of  protection  was  as  justifiable 
before,  as  after  its  execution. 

But  there  is  a  precedent  apparently  applicable,  which  illus- 
trates the  difference  of  sympathy  from  surroundings,  and  how 
the  same  claimed  offence  is  viewed  by  the  friends  or  enemies 
of  the  actor.  Those  who  have  remembered  the  blame  which 
has  attached  to  Sir  John,  should  examine  the  different  sentiments 
called  forth  for  one  who  suffered  for  what  he  alone  was  censured. 
This  parallel  case,  was  that  of  Colonel  Isaac  Hayne,*  a  promi- 
nent patriot  in  South  Carolina.  He  had  served  in  the  defence 
of  Charleston,  with  the  cavalry  operating  outside  of  the  city, 
but  not  included  in  the  capitulation.  Afterwards  he  considered 
that  the  protection  of  his  family  residing  on  the  Edisto,  required 
that  he  should  accept  a  parole  from  the  captors,  only  obtained, 
by  signing  with  a  protest  as  to  service,  the  oath  of  allegiance, 
prescribed  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  proclamations. 

This  exposed  him  to  the  annoyance  of  frequent  calls  for  his 
service  as  a  soldier,  due  by  that  obligation  to  the  King,  and 
when  Gen.  Greene  advanced  in  1781,  considering  the  British 

*  See  Ramsey's  Revolution  in  S.  C.,  Vol.  n,  p.  277,  etc. 


in  the  Revolution.  212' 

control  ended,  he  again  took  the  field,  was  captured,  tried,  and 
executed,  by  Lord  Rawdon,  at  the  instigation  of  Col.  Nesbit 
Balfour,  the  commandant,  recalled  there  still  as  a  tyrant.  The 
whole  country  was  filled  with  denunciation  of  this  cruelty. 
The  Duke  of  Richmond  censured  it  in  Parliament  and  Balfour 
was  rendered  notable  for  his  unfeeling  disregard  to  the  appeal 
of  his  family  and  friends  for  mercy,  while  the  name  of  Hayne 
is  remembered,  by  collectors  of  American  History,  as  a  martyr 
to  a  popular  and  successful  cause.  Had  Sir  John  been  cap- 
tured in  either  of  his  bold  invasions,  made  additionally  perilous 
by  that  impending  charge,  he  might  have  suffered,  even  by  the 
influence  of  his  exasperated  neighbors,  from  whom  he  had 
parted  with  mutual  antipathy.  His  daring  on  such  other  occa- 
sions, discredits  the  tradition  of  his  flight,  unwounded,  in 
advance  of  his  command,  at  Klocks  Field,  and  makes  it  seem  an 
instance  of  misrepresentation  unanswered,  and  accepted  by 
credulous  History  as  the  gift  of  irresponsible  tradition. 

It  is  notable  that  the  "  Annals  of  Tryon  County,"  which 
William  W.  Campbell,  an  estimable  gentleman  and  painstaking 
collector,  residing  at  Cherry  Valley,  prepared  many  years  ago,* 
in  connection  with  a  society  formed  at  that  place  for  the  col- 
lection of  Local  History,  in  describing  the  battle,  and  alluding 
to  the  bravery  of  Johnson's  troops,  omits  this  sudden  departure 
which  must  have  reached  him  there  in  rumor,  rejected  as  fact. 

The  tradition  of  his  flight  from  Klocks  Field  without  refer- 
ring to  his  disabled  condition,  perhaps  arose  with  exasperated 
neighbors  while  suffering  from  his  undoubtedly  vindictive 
ravages,  whose  patriotism  was  naturally,  stimulated  by  the 
possession  of  his  abandoned  property,  and  from  whom  any 
sympathy  would  be  as  unnatural  as  that  of  the  huntsman  for  a 

*  Border  Warfare  of  New  York  and  Annals,  etc.,  1849. 


2i2d  Tories  or  Loyalists 

wounded  stag,  which  had  ceased  to  stand  at  bay.  That  his 
accepted  government  appreciated  the  audacity  of  his  three 
incursions,  and  subsequently  repeatedly  honored  him  with 
commands  and  places  of  trust,  proves  at  least  their  continued 
confidence  in  his  courage  and  honor.  That  any  of  these 
questions  should  remain  open  for  discussion,  more  than  a  cen- 
tury afterwards  sustains  the  views  elsewhere  expressed,  of  the 
untold  value  of  impartial  and  carefully  prepared  cotemporary 
history. 

In  any  event  he  had  opportunity  to  regret  in  a  long  life  of 
exile,  the  beautiful  home  which  he  had  lost  by  the  rigor  with 
which  his  native  State  adhered  to  its  rule  of  confiscation.  He 
resided  afterwards  in  Canada,  and  is  still  represented  by  many 
distinguished  descendants.  When  he  died  he  afforded  to  pos- 
terity an  opportunity  to  consider  that  best  test  for  judgment  of 
the  action  of  another  "  put  yourself  in  his  place." 

Although  prompted  by  a  sense  of  the  justice  of  availing  of 
the  opportunity  to  say  a  word  in  defence  of  those  whose  records 
have  left  their  names  unpopular,  the  writer  is  satisfied  that 
their  vindication  has  been  delayed  too  long  to  influence  some 
whose  opinions  are  hereditary,  and  have  never  been  modified 
by  the  softening  effects  of  research.46 

One  who  has  given  his  attention  to  historical  collections, 
and  has  completed  series  of  the  letters  of  the  Signers,  the 
Generals,  and  the  prominent  actors  of  the  Colonial  and  Revo- 
lutionary periods,  has  naturally  sought  for  information  as  to 
their  inner,  as  well  as  their  printed  lives,  and  incidentally  as  to 

&  It  appears  proper  to  say  that  these  sentiments,  — not  influenced  by  any  personal 
considerations,  —  are  somewhat  contrary  to  the  writer's  earlier  and  more  crude 
convictions,  derived  from  antecedents,  in  that  period,  and  from  the  early  settlement 
of  New  York,  identified  with  the  popular  cause,  and  often  then  and  since  by  succes- 
sion, under  the  union  of  the  States,  aiding  —  sometimes  effectively  —  in  its  civil 
service,  and  in  every  war. 


in  the  Revolution.  213 

those  of  their  cotemporaries,  and  of  the  circumstances  which 
governed  all  of  them. 

This  naturally  inspires  a  comparison  with  the  more  familiar 
ones  of  their  successors,  and  of  their  relative  administration 
of  public  trust.  It  may  even  induce  a  conjecture  as  to  the 
result  —  if  it  were  possible  to  make  the  experiment  —  of  placing 
the  members  of  the  Congress  of  1776,  in  the  seats  of  a  few  of 
its  recent  representatives.  The  alternative,  by  a  substitution  of 
many  of  our  present  for  those  past  law-makers,  would  give  occu- 
pation for  a  stronger  imagination,  in  realizing  the  uses  of  the 
modern  appliances  of  legislation  in  those  time-honored  chairs. 

Were  such  transpositions  of  men  of  the  present  for  those  of 
that  important  crisis  possible,  might  it  not  be  less  difficult,  even 
after  a  century  of  brilliant  national  prosperity,  affording  oppor- 
tunities to  individuals  which  few  then  enjoyed,  and  a  condensa- 
tion of  events  which  no  other  nation  has  probably  ever  witnessed 
in  a  similar  period,  to  select  a  substitute  for  Sir  John  Johnson, 
were  he  all  that  vague  tradition  and  prejudice  has  pictured  him 
to  be,  using  every  appliance  that  he  is  said  to  have  resorted  to 
in  seeking  to  claim  an  inheritance  of  which  he  felt  himself 
unjustly  deprived,  than  to  discover  a  second  Washington,  de- 
ferring compensation,  neglecting,  in  his  negation  of  self,  his 
own  ample  estate,  to  battle  to  secure  the  property  of  others, 
subjecting  himself  to  the  jealousy  of  those  who  coveted  his 
honors,  but  not  the  cares  and  exposure47  which  earned  them, 

47  To  His  EXCELLENCY,  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Eso^.,  GENERAL,  &c., 

SIR: 

WHEREAS,  David  Matthews,  Esq.,  stands  charged  with  dangerous  Designs  and 
treasonable  Conspiracies  against  the  Rights  and  Liberties  of  the  United  Colonies  of 
America.  We  do,  in  Pursuance  of  a  certain  Resolve  of  Congress  of  this  Colony 
of  the  twentieth  day  of  June,  instant,  authorize  and  request  you  to  cause  the  said 
David  Matthews  to  be  with  all  his  papers  forthwith  apprehended  and  secured,  and 


214  Tories  or  Loyalists 

devoting  his  manhood  to  his  country,  and  finally  epitomising 
his  life,  as  an  example  to  the  temporarily  refractory  troops  at 
Newburg,  by  saying  —  when  compelled  to  resort  to  his  glasses 
in  deciphering  his  conclusive  appeal  to  their  patriotism  and 
endurance —  "  You  see  gentlemen,  that  I  have  not  only  grown 
gray,  but  blind,  in  your  service." 

To  write  the  name  of  Washington  is  a  temptation  to  the 
digression  of  an  American  pen,  even  when  proposing  to  speak 
more  specially  of  those  whom  he  conquered,  and  only  incident- 
ally of  the  victors. 

Collectors  of  unprinted  Historical  Material  —  often  classed 
as  Autographs  —  were  long  accustomed  to  attach  some  im- 
portance, in  discerning  the  character  and  surroundings  of  the 
writer,  both  to  his  manner  of  expression,  and  his  chirography. 
This  theory  has  been  sustained  by  many  able  authorities,  includ- 
ing Dr.  Joseph  G.  Cogswell,  formerly  of  the  Astor  Library. 

that  returns  be  made  to  us  of  the  manner  in  which,  this  Warrant  shall  be  executed  in 
order  that  the  same  may  be  made  known  to  the  said  Congress. 
Given  under  our  hands  this  twenty-first  day  of  June,  1776.     PHILIP  LIVINGSTON, 

JOHN  JAY, 
Gov.  MORRIS. 

General  Greene  is  desired  to  have  the  within  Warrant  executed  with  precision 
and  exactness,  by  one  o'clock  the  ensuing  morning,  by  a  careful  officer. 

FRIDAY   AFTERNOON,  June  20,  1776.  G.   WASHINGTON. 

_  LONG   ISLAND,   June  zzd,    1776. 

In  obedience  to  the  within  Order  ani  Warrant,  I  sent  a  Detachment  of  my  Brigade 
under  the  Command  of  Col.Vernon,  to  the  house  of  the  within  named  David  Matthews, 
Esq.,  at  Flat  Bush,  who  surrounded  his  house  and  seized  his  person  precisely  at  the 
hour  of  one  this  morning.  After  having  made  him  a  Prisoner,  diligent  search  was 
made  after  his  Papers  but  none  could  be  found,  notwithstanding  great  care  was 
taken  that  none  of  the  Family  should  have  the  least  opportunity  to  remove  or 
destroy  them.  NATHANIEL  GREENE. 

THIS  PAPER,  "if  earlier  discovered,  should  have  been  appropriate  additional 
material  for  "  Minutes  of  the  Trial  and  Examination  of  .Certain  Persons  in 
the  Province  of  New  York,  charged  with  being  Engaged  in  a  Conspiracy  against 
the  Authority  of  the  Congress  and  the  Liberties  of  America."  Printed  in  London,  by 
I.  Bew,  in  1786,  and  reprinted  in  an  edition  of  one  hundred  copies,  entitled  "Minutes 
of  Conspiracy  against  the  Liberties  of  America,"  by  [ohn  Campbell,  in  Philadelphia, 
1865,  describing  the  details  of  "  the  Hickey  Plot"  for  the  poisoning  of  Washington, 


FROM     THE    ORIGINAL    IN   THE   COLLECTION  Or    TRY 


in  the  Revolution.  215 

Any  even  fancied  value  in  this  belief,  is  becoming  obsolete 
as  applicable  to  later  correspondence,  in  an  unprecedented 
progress,  crowding  the  events  of  life,  and  increasing  the  value 
of  the  hour.  Rapidity  of  thought  and  action,  now  conveyed 
upon  paper  involves  brevity,  curtails  compliment,  and  disregards 
form. 

In  the  day  when  magazines  were  scarcely  known,  news- 
papers were  small  and  rare,  devoted  principally  to  advertise- 
ments, with  current  events  condensed,  and  even  discussion  by 
tracts  occasional  ;  a  letter,  as  a  comprehensive  means  of  com- 
munication, was  an  important  channel  of  intelligence.  Its 
dignified  foolscap,  or  "  letter  size  ;  "  emblazoned  with  water 
line,  and  adorned  by  a  gilt  edge,  was  covered  by  a  carefully 
selected  "  quill,"  with  at  least  three  pages  of  public  or  private 

by  that  man,  one  of  his  Life  Guards,  who  was  executed.  Governor  Tryon,  who  was 
quartered  on  the  Duchess  of  Gordon,  a  vessel  lying  in  the  harbor  —  and  singularly 
named  after  the  lady  whom  Gen.  Staats  Long  Morris,  the  loyalist  member  of  a 
patriot  family,  married  —  was  supposed  to  be  the  instigator  5  the  medium  was  David 
Matthews,  the  Mayor,  who  admitted  supplying  money  at  least,  for  arms,  and  who 
was  sentenced  to  death,  but  reprieved  and  sent  to  Connecticut,  from  whence  he 
escaped  ;  the  method  to  poison  Washington  with  green  peas  which  were  provided, 
and  on  being  tested  on  some  poultry,  proved  fatal  ;  and  the  result  to  be  a  rising  in 
arms,  in  case  of  success.  It  was  detected  by  the  disclosure  made  through  his  house- 
keeper, the  daughter  of  Samuel  Frances,  the  innkeeper  at  the  corner  of  Broad  and 
Pearl,  where  Washington  afterwards  bid  adieu  to  his  officers.  The  seat  of  the 
conspiracy,  was  Cortie  tavern,  between  "  Richmond  Hill,"  "Bayard's  Woods,"  and 
"  Lispenard's  meadow,"  near  the  now  intersection  of  Spring  and  Wooster  streets. 
This  order  of  arrest  was  issued  on  the  next  day,  only  three  days  before  Lord  Howe's 
arrival,  soon  followed  by  the  Battle  of  Long  Island,  the  retreat  of  Washington,  and  the 
British  occupation  of  the  city,  attended  by  the  confusion  in  which,  Matthews  probably 
escaped.  A  trifling  circumstance,  the  carefal  erasing  of  a  word  with  a  penknife, 
over  which  the  word  "within,"  is  written  in  Washington's  endorsement,  displays  the 
coolness  and  method  in  writing  referred  to,  even  at  a  moment  when  his  life  was  beset 
by  assassins.  The  other  papers  above  alluded  to  as  printed,  were  those  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Committee  of  Congress  signing  this  order  for  arrest.  The  accompanying  letter  is 
from  Richaro  Cumberland,  the  well  known  essayist  and  author  of  many  plays  and 
brochures,  a  retired  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  apparently,  from  the 
contents  of  a  number  of  letters  from  which  it  is  selected,  an  attache  and  purveyor 
of  Lord  George  Germain,  State  Secretary,  is  addressed  to  William  Woodfall,  before  the 
public  at  this  period,  and  prosecuted  by  the  Crown  as  the  publisher  of  the  "  Letters 

28 


216  Tones  or  Loyalists 

intelligence,  conveyed  in  well  formed  characters,  with  dignified 
assurances  of  consideration  and  respect.  It  was  generally  closed 
with  wax,  and  impressed  with  the  seal,  which  then  dangled 
from  the  writer's  t;  fob,"  all  in  such  form  as  to  make  it  pre- 
sentable to  a  friend,  or  to  a  neighborhood,  according  to  its 
privacy  or  public  import.  Then  conveyed  in  a  u  mastship  " 
or  packet,  in  a  lumbering  u  stage-wagon,"  or  by  a  private  ex- 
press, its  receipt  was  a  sensation,  and  it  was  generally  preserved 
as  an  object  of  value,  often  to  arise  years  afterwards,  permanent 
from  its  solid  material,  and  perhaps  to  find  new  appreciation  in 
a  historical  collection,  to  solve  a  doubt,  or  suggest  an  inquiry. 

Rare  papers  like  rare  paintings  still  command  competition, 
showing  continued  appreciation.  (  Appendix  E.  ) 

Such  was  the  " golden  age"  of  the  collectors  only  recently 
terminated  by  the  Telegraph,  where  each  word  has  a  cost  as 
well  as  a  value  ;  the  Postal  Card,  commanding  condensation  and 

of  Junius."  He  has  an  equally  surviving  recollection,  as  associated  with  the  original 
Mr.  Walter,  of  the  London  Times,  in  experiments  in  printing  by  steam. 

SIR  :  DRAYTON,    Tuesday  Morning, 

Since  I  wrote  to  you  and  enclosed  ye  Boston  Gazette,  a  messenger  is  arrived  with  ye 
news  of  ye  reduction  efforts  Washington  and  Lee,  and  with  despatches  from  ye  Gen- 
eral, which  I  make  do  doubt  occasioned  the  publishing  of  an  Extra  Gazette  last 
night.  This  intelligence  would  have  been  brought  us  to  town  directly,  if  Lord 
George  hid  not  been  indisposed  with  a  cold  and  swelled  face,  so  that  we  shall  not  be 
in  town  till  Friday  morning.  Anything  in  my  power  to  communicate  to  you  shall 
readily  be  done,  and  I  am  very  sorry  that  my  distance  makes  it  not  practicable  by 
this  opportunity.  Ye  loyal  Mayor  of  New  York  has  made  his  escape  from  Litchfield 
and  returned  to  that  City.  He  reports*the  situation  of  the  people  in  Connecticut  to 
be  that  of  men  heartily  weary  of  their  cause  and  its  conductors.  That  the  hospitals 
are  miserably  attended  and  served,  where  great  numbers  are  lost  for  want  of 
common  care.  That  there  are  small,  or  po  hopes,  of  another  Army  being  raised, 
the  eyes  of  the  common  people  being  generally  open  to  their  situation.  That  a 
sovereign  contempt  for  their  officers  prevails  universally,  that  they  say  Lee  (Gen. 
Charles  )  will  not  engage  for  fear  of  being  taken  and  hanged  and  that  ye  fame  and 
popularity  of  Gen.  Washington  is  greatly  gone  down. 

Many  particulars  may  occur  worthy  the  public  notice  when  I  return  to  town  and 
get  my  letters,  &c.  I  am,  Sir, 

Your  Most  Obedient  Ser'vt, 
Mr.  William   Woodfall.  R.   CUMBERLAND. 


in  the  Revolution.  217 

disclaiming  privacy,  and  the  Monograph,  with  such  Napoleonic 
terseness  and  brief  detail  as  is  necessary  to  intelligibility  with 
little  regard  to  form.  These  last  appliances  tended  in  our  recent 
war,  to  condense  such  full  narratives  of  action  as  had  been  usual 
in  the  past,  leaving  it  to  the  comprehensive  and  indispensable 
newspapers,  published  in  keeping  with  the  progress  of  the  age, 
and  to  their  correspondents  to  form  the  public  sentiment  of  its 
course  and  results  as  they  appeared  to  them.  It  remains  for  the 
government  to  perfect  its  history,  by  instituting  a  careful  analysis 
of  such  narrative,  and  by  the  use  of  the  public  records,  the 
last  of  which  is  believed  to  be  now  in  progress,  and  if  so 
will  correct  many  errors,  known  to  have  often  unavoidably  crept 
into  more  hastily  prepared  impressions. 

At  the  period  now  referred  to,  such  notable  persons  in  its 
history  as  Washington,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  Greene,  Cornwallis, 
and  Gates  —  when  dispensing  with  the  services  of  aid  or 
secretary — and.  in  fact,  all  educated  persons,  from  sovereign 
to  citizen,  found  time  to  convey  their  thoughts  in  letters 
thus  carefully  expressed  and  gracefully  executed,  as  though  to 
combine  in  both  contents  and  form,  a  courtesy  to  the  person  ad- 
dressed, and  to  suggest  if  not  to  prove,  that  the  writer  was,  as  a 
14  gentleman  of  theold  school,"  at  least  "  toall  polite."  Perhaps, 
letters  of  this  period  which  are  preserved,  commend  in  their 
ensemble  this  style,  which  is  necessarily  passing  away  from  the 
causes  referred  to. 

At  least  it  recalls  its  recollection  with  respect,  to  say  that  it 
everywhere  characterizes  the  manner  of  communicating  the 
plainest  sentiments  by  Washington  !  The  large  number  of  his 
letters,  still  carefully  preserved,  show  his  industry  ;  while  their 
existence  witnesses  the  cotemporary  appreciation  of  one  who 


218  Tories  or  Loyalists 

used  "  not  dim  enigmas  doubtful  to  discern,  "  but  expressed 
himself  in  "  simple  truths  that  every  man  may  learn."*  How 
so  prominent  a  character,  overwhelmed  with  active  duties,  often 
in  temporary  quarters  and  with  few  conveniences  —  but  always 
with  assistants  about  him  to  perform  the  manual  part  of  the 
work  —  should  largely  from  preference,  with  his  own  hand  find 
opportunity  to  correspond  with  the  Government,  its  members, 
governors  of  States,  his  generals  and  officers  of  every  grade,  his 
family  and  personal  friends,  the  representatives  of  foreign  govern- 
ments and  interests,  even  with  citizens  scarcely  known  to  him — 
but  alive  to  the  value  of  their  own  wants  or  suggestions  —  all 
with  courtesy,  uniformity,  and  neatness,  is  as  remarkable  as  the 
variety  of  the  topics  and  the  smallness  of  the  material  for  sub- 
sequent criticism. 

These  letters  collected  would  seem  manually  the  work  of  a 
clerkly  copyist  rather  than  originals,  the  brain  and  hand  work  of 
the  founder  of  a  great  nation,  simply  recording,  even  while 
creating,  much  of  its  history,  amidst  conflict  and  doubt.  Many 
of  these  have  found  their  place  in  print,  all  might  be  condensed 
with  advantage,  into  a  sort  of  complete  letter  writer  for  the  use 
of  schools. 

With  a  character  naturally  strong,  developed  by  a  capable  and 
devoted  mother,  an  ordinary  education  and  the  adventurous 
experience  of  his  youth,  Washington  is  marked,  by  a  course  of 
life,  ever  leading  upward  and  onward.  While  largely  controlling 
the^  country  he  had  helped  so  materially  to  create,  he  was  ready 
to  entertain  and  use  what  he  considered  adaptable  to  present 
circumstances,  from  the  experience  of  wise  men  of  all  periods, 
refined  in  the  crucible  of  his  own  broad  common  sense. 

*   Applied  from  an  early  poem  of  William  Allen  Butler. 


in  the  Revolution.  219 

Even  his  conclusions,  enforced  by  such  admitted  and  suc- 
cessful experience,  were  not  always  accepted.  He  had  passed 
to  power  through  triumphal  arches  raised  by  a  nation's  grati- 
tude, to  hold  it  with  a  people,  and  even  his  cabinet,  divided 
as  to  his  policy  ;  and  to  resign  it,  and  return  like  Cincinnatus 
to  his  plough,  with  an  expressed  sense  of  relief.  If  so  living 
now,  he  would  be  rewarded  by  the  universal  thanks  of  those 
familiar  with  his  name  and  service,  which  did  not  fully  attend 
him,  when  two  factions  disputed  over  his  policy,  and  many 
beset  him  from  interest  or  for  place.  The  highest  popularity 
not  spasmodic,  attending  all  great  men  burthened  with  power 
and  patronage  in  life,  may  be  claimed  to  attach  to  their  memory, 
after  they  are  dead. 

If  this  be  so,  his  parting  words  when  surrendering  his  highest 
and  final  authority  —  and  which  probably  combined  with  his 
own  judgment  that  of  others48  whom  hf%  confidence  in  itself 
proved  also  worthy  of  lasting  attention  —  cannot,  it  would 
seem,  be  too  often  recalled  as  embodying  past  experience,  with 
a  far  seeing  warning  for  the  future,  increasing  in  value  as  it 
addresses  a  larger  auditory. 

At  least  an  annual  public  reading  of  that  Farewell  Address, 
with  that  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence — to  the  fulfill- 
ment of  the  purposes  of  which  it  applies  —  and  their  study  also 
in  our  schools,  would  appear  to  be  necessary  instruction  to  all 
who  may  aspire  to  public  place.  They  show  the  birth  and 
early  progress  of  the  Freedom  they  are  expected  to  preserve. 
Some  have  always  referred  to  them  as  opening  truths  which  are 
already  new  to  millions  of  unfamiliar  ears.  Those  more  accus- 
tomed to  such  teachings  —  could  console  themselves,  if  present, 
with  the  adage,  "  a  good  thing  is  worth  repeating.  "  In  them 

4s  To  Hamilton,  Jay,  Jefferson  and  Madison  some  of  its  inspirations  were  due. 


22O  Tories  or  Loyalists 

every  elector  once  familiar  with  their  spirit  would  observe,  that 
in  traveling  too  rapidly  in  an  engrossing  present,  we  may  leave 
behind  such  less  recent  but  indispensible  companions  in  our 
country's  progress,  to  follow  newer  and  sometimes  falser  lights. 

By  such  constant  recurrence  to  the  grievances  the  latter  re- 
counts against  the  British  Government,  each  hearer  could 
discover  what  was  renounced  by  the  founders,  and  whether  by 
any  subsequent  legislation,  we  have  voluntarily  subjected  our- 
selves to  any  similar  burthens. 

With  this  conviction  the  accompanying,  taken  from  a  very 
rare  cotemporary  certified  copy  of  the  Declaration,  more 
interesting  since  the  damage  to  the  original  in  its  transfer,  is 
inserted. 

The  Declaration'of  Independence,  appears  in  effect  an  ably 
drawn  and  dignified  recital  of  grievances  imposed  by  Parliament, 
and  which  had  become  intolerable  to  a  people  growing  in  in- 
telligence and  importance.  Its  incisive  tone,  and  confident 
assertion,  were  well  calculated  to  reach  an  auditory  of  various 
interests  scattered  in  thirteen  colonies,  differing  in  population, 
antecedents  and  interests,  and  to  arouse  them  to  concerted  action. 

It  rejects  the  further  control  of  the  makers  of  existing  laws, 
while  it  suggests  no  substitution  of  better  ones,  evidently  with 
the  intention  of  leaving  that  duty,  with  the  details  of  Con- 
federate action,  to  the  future  representatives  of  a  free  people. 
Its  value  would  appear  to  be  in  the  position  it  asserted  at  a 
time  when  the  hope  of  success  appeared  dark,  and  in  recording 
the  opinion  of  its  patriot  founders  as  to  what  were  then  held  to 


IN     CONGRESS,     JULY   4,     1776. 

THE     UNANIMOUS 

DECLARATION 

OF          THE 

THIRTEEN    UNITED    STATES     OF     AMERICA. 


uUbtjr 


it,  it  is  their  Duty,  to  throw  off  fuch  Government,  and  to  provide  new  Guard*  for 
tame  Sccuuly.  S.uch  hai  been  the  patient  SulT-  nee  of  thefe  Colonies  ,  and  fuch 
9w  the  Necetuty  which  confirami  them  to  arter  their  formei  9rA*«»*  rf  f>-up,run«>r_ 


9rA*«»*  r 
of  repeale 


WHEN,  in  the  Courfe  of  human  Events,  it  becomes  necellary  for  one 
People  to  difiolve  the  Political  Bands  which  have  conneded  them  with 
another,  and  to  aflbnie,  among  the  Powers  of  the 'Earth,  the  feparate 
and  equal  Station  to  which  tk:  Laws  of  Nature  and  of  Nature's  GOD 
entitle  them,  a  decent  Refpeft  to  UK  Opinions  of  Mankind  requires 
that  they  fhould  declare  the  Caufes  which  impel  them  to  the  Separation. 

Wl  hold  thefe  Truths  to  be  fell-evident,  that  all  Men  are  created  equal,  that  they  are 
endowed,  by  their  CREATOR,  with  certain  unalienable  Rights, that  among  thefe  are  Life, 
Liberty,  and  the  Purluit  ol  Happinefa — That  to  fccure  thefe  Rights,  Governments  are 
inftituted  among  Men,  deriving  their  juft  Powers  from  the  Confent  of  the  Governed,  that 
whenever  any  Form  of  Government  becomes  defttuctive  of  thefe  Ends,  it  is  the  Right  of 
the  People  to  alter  or  to  abolilh  it,  and  to  inftitute  new  Government,  laying  its  Foun- 
dation on  fuch  Principles,  and  organizing  its  Powers  in  fuch  Form,  as  to  them  fhall  feem 
moft  likely  to  effect  their  Safety  and  Haopinefs.  Prudence,  indeed,  wilt  diflate,  that 
Governments  long  eftablifhed,  Ihould  not  be  changed  for  light  and  tranfient  Caufcs  t  and 
Accordingly  all  Experience  hath  (hewn,  that  Mankind  are  more  difpofed  to  fuffer,  while 
Evils  are  fufferable,  than  to  right  themfelves  by  abolilhing  the  Foims  to  which  they  i 
accuftomed.  But  when  >  long  Train  of  Abufes  and  Ufurpations,  purfuing  i 
the  fame  Object,  evinces  a  Defign  ta  reduce  them  under  able-lute  Defpotifni 
Right,  i  ' 
•brii  ' 

The  Hiftory  of  the' prefent  King  ol  Great-Britain  is  a  Hiftory  of  repealed  Injuri 
Ufurpations,  all  having  in  direct  Object  the  Eftiblifhment  of  an  abfolute  Tyranny  over 
Ihefe  Sues.    To  prove  this,  let  Fails  be  fubmitted  to  a  candid  World. 

Hi  has  refuted  bis  Aflent  to  Laws,  the  moft  wholcfome  and  necetttry  for  the  public 
Good. 

Hi  has  forbidden  his  Governors  to  pafs  Laws  of  immediate  and  prefCng  Importance, 
unlefs  lofpended  in  their  Operation  rill  his  Aflent  Oiould  be  obtained  i  and  when  fo  fuf- 
pended,  he  haa  utterly  neglected  to  attend  to  them. 

Ha  has  relufed  to  pafs  other  Laws  for  the  Accommodation  of  large  Diftricb  of  People, 
unlefs  thofe  People  would  relinquilh  the  Right  of  Reprelentalion  in  the  Legislature,  a 
Right  ineftimable  to  them,  and,  lormidabl  in  Tyrants  only. 

HE  has  called  together  Legidative  flo-tie*  at  Places  unufual,  uncomfortable,  and 
dittant  from  tilt  D  politory  ot  their  public  Records,  for  the  fole  Purpole  of  fatiguing 
them  into  Co-'tpIiAOCe.  with  his  Meafures. 

Hi  has  diUb'ved  Reprefentative  Houfes  repeatedly,  loroppofiog  with  manly  Firmnefs 
his  Invafions  on  the  Rights  of  the  People. 

Hi  has  refuted  for  a  long  Time,  after  fuch  Diffolurions,  to  caufe  others  to  be  elected  ; 
whereby  the  Legiflative  Powers,  incapable  of  Annihilation,  have  returned  to  the  People 
•t  large  for  their  exercife  i  the  State  remaining,  in  the  mean  Time,  expofed  to  all  the  Dan- 
cers of  Invafion  from  without,  and  ConvulOons  within. 

He  has  endeavoured  to  prevent  the  Population  of  thefe  Stares  t  for  that  Purpofc  ob- 
ftructing  the  Laws  for  Naturalization  of  Foreigners  i  refuting  to  pals  others  to  encourage 
their  Migrations  hither,  and  raiting  the  Conditions  of  new  Appropriations  of  Lands. 

Hi  has  obfliucted  the  AdmwBration  of  Juftice,  by  refuting  his  AAent 
eftablilriina  Judiciary  Powers. 

Hi  has  made  Judges  dependent  on  his  Will  alone,  for  the  Ti 
and  the  Amount  and  Payment  ot  their  Salaries. 

Hi  has  creeled  a  Multitude  of  new  Offices,  and  fern  hither  Swarms  of  Ol 
rafs  our  People,  and  eat  out  their  Subfti 

Hi  has  kept  among  us, 
of  our  LegiO, 


aetd  unacknowledged  by  our  Laws  i  giving  bis  Aflent  to  their  Ads  of  pretended  Legif- 

larion: 

FOR  quartering  large  Bodies  of  Armed  Troops  among  us  : 

FOR  protecting  them,  by  a  mock  Trial,  from  Punifhment  for  any  Murders  which  they 
Ihould  commit  on  the  Inhabitants  of  thefe  States: 
FOR  cutting  off  our  Trade  with  all  Parts  of  the  World  : 
Foi  impofing  Taxes  on  us  without  our  Confent  : 
FOB  depriving  us,  in  ma"y  Cales,  ol  the  Benefits  of  Trial  by  Jury  : 
Foa  transporting  us  beyond  Seas  to'  be  tried  for  pretended  Offences  : 
FOR  aboliining  the  free  Syftem  of  Englifh  Laws  in  a  neighbouring  Province,  eltabliui. 

ing  therein  an  arbitrary  Government,  and  enlarging  its  Boundaries,  fo  as  to  render  it  at 

once  an  Example  and  fit  Inftruinent  for  introducing  the  fame  ablolute  Rule  into  thefe 

FOB.  caking  away  our  Charters,  abolifhing  our  moft  valuable  Laws,  and  altering  fun- 
damentally the  Forms  of  our  Governments  : 

Fo&  impending  our  own  LegiQatures,  and  declaring  themfe]  vei  inverted  with  Power  to 
legiflate  lor  us  in  all  Cafes  wtuuoever. 

Hi  has  abdicated  Government  here,  by  declaring  us  out  of  his  Protection,  and  waging 


War  againft 

Hi  has  plundered  our  Seat,  ravaged  our  Coafhj,  burnt 
Lives  of  our  People. 

Ha  is.  at  this  Time,  tranfportiflg  l 


and  deflroyed  the 


HE  is.  at  this  Time,  tranfportiflg  Urge  Armies  of  foreign  Mercenaries  to  complete 
tn*  Works  of  Death,  Defolation,  and  Tyranny,  already  begun  with  Circumftances  of 
LrueUy  and  Perfidy,  fcarcely  paralleled  in  the  moft  barbarous  Ages,  and  totajly  unworthy 
the  Head  of  a  civilized  Nation. 


Laws  for 
of  their  Offices, 


s  of  Peace,  Standing  Armies,   without  the   Content 


Hi  has  afteSed  to  render  the  Military  independent  of  and  fuperior  to  the  Civil  Po' 
Hi  hai  combined  with  others  to  lubject  us  to  a  Jurildifiion  foreign  to  our  Conftiiul 


Hi  has  conltrained  our  Fel!o»  Citizens,  taken  Captive  on  the  high  Seas,  to  bear  Ar 
againft  their  Country,  to  become  the  Executioners  of  their  Friends  and  Brethren,  or  u 
fall  rheaofclvea  by  their  Hands. 

Ha  has  exched  domeDic  Infurreflions  among*  us,  and  has  endeavoured  to  bring  on 
Sf  l.nhabiu»t>  <*  our  Frontiers,  the  mercUefi  Indian  Savages,  whole  known  Rule  of 
Warfare,  is  an  undiftinguifhed  DeftruAion,  of  all  Ages,  Sexes,  and  Conditions. 

IK  every  Stage  of  thefe  Oppreflions  we  have  Petitioned  for  Redrefs  in  the  moft  bumble 
Terms  :  Our  repeated  Petitions  have  been  anlwered  only  by  repeated  Injury.  A  Prince, 
wht,!e  Charter  is  thus  marked  by  every  Act  which  may  deBtie  a  Tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be 
the  Ruler  of  a  free  People. 

NOB  have  we  been  wanting  in  Attentions  to  our  Britifn  Brethren.  We  have  warned 
them,  from  Time  to  Time,  of  Attempts  by  their  LegitUture  ro  extend  an  unwarrantable 
Jurildiction  over  us.  We  have  reminded  them  of  Uic  ChcumlUncei  of  our  Emigration 
and  Settlement  here.  We  have  appealed  to  their  native  Juftice  and  Magnanimity,  and 
we  have  conjured  them  by  the  Ties  of  our  common  Kindred  to  difavow  these  Ufurpati- 
ons,  which  would  inevitably  interrupt  our  Connexions  and  Correfpondence.  Thev  too 
have  been  deal  to  the  Voice  ot  Juftice  and  of  Confanguinity.  We  rouft,  therefore,  ac- 
qutefce  In  the  NeccQity,  which  denounces  our  Separation,  and  liold  them,  u  we  hold  the 
Heft  of  Mankind,  Enemies  in  War,  in  Peace  Friends. 

Wi,  therefore,  the  Keprefentatives  of  the  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA  in 
GENERAL  CONGRESS  AtTembled,  appealing  to  the  Supreme  Judge  of  the  World 
for  the  Keftitude  ol  our  Intentions,  do,  in  the  Name,  and  by  Authority  of  the  good 
People  of  thefe  Colonies,  folemnly  PubliDa  and  Declare,  That  thefe  United  Colonies  are, 
and  ol  Right  ought  to  be,  FKEE  AMD  INDEPENDENT  STATES)  that  they  are 
abfolved  from  all  Allegiance  to  the  Briiifli  Crown,  and  that  all  political  Connexion  be- 
tween them  and  the  State  ol  Great-Britain,  is,  and  ought  to  be,  totally  diUblved  t  and 
that  aa  FKEE  ASD  INDEPENDENT  STATES,  they  have  full  Power  to  levy  War, 
conclude  Peace,  contract  Alliances,  egablifh  Commerce,  and  to  do  all  other  AcVa  and 
Things  which  INDEPENDENT  STATES  may  of  Right  da  And  for  the  Sapport 
01  this  Declarauon.witha  firm  Reliance  on  the  Pioteaion  ot  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE, 
we  mutually  pledge  to  each  other  our  Lna,  our  flr'awi,  and  our/«™f  Hnnr. 


John  Hancock. 


-  Bullr*  C«na<», 

iTmaHO, 
.  CM.  Iftllm. 


ft*.  Sum, 

Utrlti  Cms,  ^  Car- 
rafiM. 


G»rj<  fTjlh, 

Rilbad  Hairy  Ul, 
Tf.  Jfrfm. 
Barf'  Htrrifcti. 

S-aV-  Hilfm.  jr. 
Cfrttr  Brian. 


Rtf-  Mmii, 
Benjamin  R*/h, 
Bay*.  FrmtB*, 
Jtt*  Ma-ltn, 
Gn.  Cbmr, 
Jr.  Smiti 


l-Isa.A»D  A«D  J  »#.  HyUu. 
iviBixca, a,.    \WmmEJkr}. 

Xtftr  final. 


IN      CONGRESS,    jA«u»tr  i»,    1777. 
ORDERED, 

THAT  an  authenticated  Copy  of  the  DECLARATION- or  INDEPENDENCY,  with  the  Names  of  the  MEMBERS  of  CONGRESS,  fubftriblng  the  fame;    be  fen  t  to  each 
of  the  UNITED  STATES,  and  that  they  be  defired  to  have  the  Time  put  on  RECORD. 

By  Ofder  of  CONGRESS, 


.&,/    && 


JOHN  HANCOCK,  Prejident. 


from,  the  Collection  eff&if. 


AM .I'HOTU-I.ITIW.  I'M-  N.V. 


in  the  Revolution.  221 

be  wicked  impositions  by  legislation,  under  color  of  law.49  Our 
present  legislation  therefore,  is  subject  to  a  comparison  with  that 
of  the  obnoxious  Parliament  as  there  specially  denounced,  as 
well  as  to  discover  the  extent  and  value  of  the  improvements 
it  is  making  under  the  present  limit  Congress  attaches  to 
its  power.  In  this  view  it  may  be  considered  the  chart  by 
which  the  ship  of  state  was  expected  by  them  to  be  navigated. 
Either  to  appreciate  the  history  of  the  details  in  which  that  power 
originated,  or  its  use  in  the  present  and  future  it  would  appear 
that  education  in  our  past  was  indispensable  to  every  citizen,  and 
that  it  was  especially  the  duty  of  those  who  inherited  their  rights 
from  the  founders, to  qualify  themselves  not  only  to  understand 
and  protect  the  enjoyment  of  the  legacy  bequeathed  to  them, 
free  from  the  effects  of  any  alleged  abuses  of  legislation,  but  to 
interest  themselves,  to  arouse  a  similar  sentiment  in  those  who 
have  rapidly  joined  them.  Not  to  recall  as  an  empty  phrase, 
but  to  illustrate,  that  Eternal  Vigilance  is  the  price  of  liberty,  by 
observing  the  proceedings  of  all  bodies  acting  with  delegated 
power,  and  if  practicable,  by  wisely  influencing  the  discretion 
with  which  that  authority  is  conferred,  by  the  individual 
citizen. 

49  Thise  grievances  urged  against  the  Bills  of  Parliament  for  "  the  better  peopling 
of  the  Colonies,"  in  the  Congress  of  1774,  show  that  England  was  then  charged  with 
transporting  a  material  she  desired  to  be  rid  of,  more  dreaded  than  the  "  Hessians  " 
so  unanimously  denounced  a  few  years  later.  The  laws  of  the  Colonies  then  de- 
prived them  of  every  privilege  beyond  that  of  residence. 

"  That  it  was  too  well  known  that  in  pursuance  of  divers  Acts  of  Parliament  great 
numbers  of  Felloivs  who  have  fur  felted  their  lives  to  the  Public,  for  the  most  atrocious 
crimes,  are  annually  transported  from  home  to  these  Plantations.  Very  surprising,  one 
would  think,  that  Thieves,  Burglars,  Pickpockets  and  Cutpurses,  and  a  herd  of  the 
most  flagitious  Banditts  upon  earth  should  be  sent  as  agreeable  companions  to 
us."  *  ''  But  the  acts  were  intendedybr  the  better  peopling  of  the  Colonies  ! 

And  will  thieves  and  murderers  be  conductive  to  that  end  ?  What  advantage  can 
we  reap  from  a  Colony  of  unrestrainable  Renegadoes  ?  Will  they  exalt  the  glory  of 
the  crown  ?  *  *  *  Can  Agriculture  be  promoted  when  the  wild  Boar  of  the 
Forest  breaks  down  our  Hedges  and  pulls  up  our  Vines  ?  *  *  How  injurious 


222  Tories  or  Loyalists 

At  the  present  time,  with  a  population  swollen  by  emigra- 
tion in  a  single  year  beyond  its  great  natural  increase,  by  nearly 
three-quarters  of  a  million,  the  growing  importance  of  the  teach- 
ing of  history  in  all  our  schools  would  seem  to  impress  itself  on 
all  who  desire  to  preserve  our  integrity.  Many  are  coming  to 
us  naturally  ignorant  of  our  past  and  present  and  its  cost  to  our 
forefathers  and  value  to  us  and  to  them,  and  who  cannot  become 
parts  of  a  homogeneous  population  advantageously  until  they 
have  accepted  intelligently  our  institutions  in  place  of  those 
under  which  they  were  born,  and  to  which  they  were  possibly 
hostile,  rejecting  as  impracticable  a  dual  nationality. 

A  knowledge  of  American  history  would  appear  as  requisite 
as  those  simple  elements  of  education  which  enable  the  elector 
—  and  perhaps  future  ruler  —  to  read  an  amendment  of  a 
constitution,  on  which  by  a  steady  extension  of  the  privileges 
won  in  that  struggle,  he  is  soon  qualified  to  vote.  All 
details  of  the  past — on  a  more  liberal  construction  of  some 
of  which  it  is  hoped  that  this  use  of  these  papers  may 
possibly  throw  a  ray  of  additional  light,  more  useful  than  that  of 
their  earlier  cremation,  which  some  weary  reader  may  already 
consider  —  should  be  constantly  perfected  and  studied,  even 
amidst  the  engrossing  activity  of  the  present. 

does  it  seem  to  free  one  part  of  the  Dominions  of  the  Plagues  of  Mankind  and  cast 
them  upon  another  ?  Should  a  law  be  proposed  to  take  the  poor  of  one  Parish,  and 
billet  them  upon  another,  would  not  all  the  world  but  the  parish  to  be  relieved,  ex- 
claim against  such  a  project  as  iniquitous  and  absurd  ?  Should  the  numberless 
Villains  of  London  and  Westminister,  be  suffered  to  escape  from  their  Prisons,  to 
range  at  large  and  depredate  any  other  parts  of  the  Kingdom,  would  not  eve;y  man 
join  with  the  Sufferers  and  condemn  the  measures  as  hard  and  unreasonable  *  *  * 
There  are  thousands  of  honest  men,  laboring  in  Europe  at  four  pence  a  day,  starving  in 
tpite  of  all  their  efforts,  a  dead  "weight  to  the  respective  parishes  to  "which  they  belong  ; 
ivho  -without  any  other  qualifications  than  Common  Sense,  Health  and  Strength,  might 
accumulate  tttates  amongst  us,  as  many  have  done  already.  These,  and  not  the  otbirs, 
are  the  men  that  should  be  sent  over,  for  the  better  peopling  the  Plantations." 


in  the  Revolution.  223 

Such  information  is  constantly  becoming  more  valuable 
to  a  country  wholly  unprecedented  in  history  in  its  absolute  re- 
liance upon  the  patriotism,  education,  common  sense,  and  mutual 
concession  of  its  citizens,  as  a  guide  for  the  future,  the  success 
of  which  is  necessarily  based  on  such  knowledge  of  the  past,  on 
wide  spread  intelligence,  a  mutual  adaptation,  and  regard 
for  its  founders  and  its  early  traditions.  If  any  return  were 
expected,  for  the  labor  of  compiling  and  feebly  annotating  them, 
beyond  an  impression  that  perhaps  "  the  deed  in  the  doing  it  savors 
of  worth  ;  "  it  would  be  most  acceptable  in  the  evidence  that  they 
had  been  the  means  ot  impressing  upon  some  earnest  reader,  the 
fact,  even  if  controverting  one  of  Mr.  Herbert  Spencer's  theo- 
ries, that  education  only  can  open  the  knowledge  of  the  origin 
of  a  nation,  inspire  a  proper  pride  in  its  progress  and  insure  its 
permanency.  (Appendix  B.) 

That  intelligence  and  ignorance  have  rarely  existed  long 
together  without  one  asserting  the  control.  That  while  some 

0 

particles  of  this  great  aggregate  —  content  to  float  like  the 
smaller  esculant,  on  the  surface  of  a  seething  caldron,  relying 
on  an  exaggerated  estimate  of  their  weight,  perpetuity  and 
value,  by  their  temporary  elevation  —  above  larger  roots  — •  may 
sneer  at  such  researches,  as  to  the  truly  great  men,  and  the  earlier 
unsuccessful  aspirants,  long  since  buried  underground  ;  as  un- 
necessary to  uneducated  citizenship,  and  disparaging  to  spontan- 
eous statesmenship  ;  it  has  been  the  universal  testimony  of  men 
of  broader  development  and  experience,  that  nothing  can  give  a 
greater  facility  to  a  person  of  natural  capacity,  in  judging  of 
present  events,  than  the  appreciative  study  of  those  of  the  past. 
He^can  then  discover  many  old  masks  on  the  faces  of  new  actors 
on  the  public  stage,  and  that  they  are  often  too  large  for  the  new 
wearer.  That  the  best  critical  analysis  applicable  to  new  theo- 
29 


224.  Tories  or  Loyalists 

ries  of  government,  is  based  upon  a  knowledge  of  their  success 
or  failure  in  earlier  times. 

That  few  things  are  on  investigation  discovered  to  be 
purely  original,  and  that  many  projects  have  always  been  sus- 
tained by  facts,  some  by  fiction,  and  others  by  selfish  interest. 
To  prepare  himself  by  study,  using  the  ample  means  supplied* 
for  education  or  reading,  would  then  appear  to  be  the  natural 
means  of  availing  of  the  privilege  every  American  enjoys. 
With  these  we  readily  discover  the  relative  progress  of 
nations,  that  where  intelligence  is  habitually  developed,  it  results 
asa  necessity  in  the  prosperity  for  the  many ;  or  where  neglected, 
all  others  are  subordinated  to  the  advantage  of  the  few. 

By  such  research  it  is  easy  to  discover  that  there  have  been 
irany  political  orators  in  the  country,  since  the  days  of  Patrick 
Henry,  and  many  financiers,  since  Robert  Morris,  but  none  who 
more  faithfully  devoted  available  talents  to  the  public.  That 
there  have  also  been  many  manipulations  and  fluctuations  in 
finance  since  their  time,  in  which  fortunes  changed  in  owner- 
ship, and  rulers  of  the  Change  rose  and  fell.  That  there  have 
been  political  questions  and  popular  uprisings,  involving  bitter 
feeling,  and  threatening  violence,  in  which  the  sober,  common 
sense  of  the  country  —  much  of  it  grounded  on  the  study  of 
the  similar  crises  in  the  past  —  has  arisen  in  its  might,  come  to 
the  front,  and  with  a  strong  hand  torn  the  excited  actors  apart. 
It  can  be  seen  by  reflection  that  to  continue  to  accomplish  this, 
the  body  politic  must  continue  in  vigorous  health.  That  it 
demands  no  less  care  than  in  its  youth,  that  like  the  human  sys- 
tem, it  requires  the  healthy  circulation  of  the  blood  in  every 
organ,  to  insure  vigorous  manhood  and  well  preserved  longevity. 


in  the  Revolution.  225 

That  knowledge,  equally  divided,  is  the  only  practicable  and 
lasting  communism,  and  that  the  crafty  demagogue,  as  a  cunning 
alchemist,  with  ignorance  as  the  metal  to  be  fused  and  mingled 
with  rejected  theories,  proposes  a  panacea  to  satisfy  the  cravings 
of  all,  and  scatter  wealth,50  without  intelligence,  industry,  or 
thrift,  while  he  knows  that  by  the  substitution  of  intelligence  and 
education  he  would  in  time  produce  the  results  to  which  he 
claims  attention  by  pretending  to  seek,  but  in  doing  so  feels 
that  he  must  expose  the  empty  charlatanism  of  a  distribution 
of  money  without  that  of  the  elements  that  would  continue  the 
equality  of  its  division  ;  unless  accompanied  by  that  of  education 
and  its  frequent  companion,  thrift,  valuable  qualities  calcu- 
lated to  ensure  its  care  and  increase. 

Those  who  voluntarily  assume  the  labor  and  outlay,  incurred 
in  the  management  of  those  princely  private  charities,  which 
make  New  York,  even  alone,  an  asylum  for  the  world's  unfor- 
tunates, can  give  practical  testimony,  both  as  to  the  immense 
increasing  clientage  which  presses  for  relief,  and  the  very  large 
proportion  it  includes  of  those  who  have  never  profited  by 
those  accessories  to  self  protection  from  chronic  destitution. 
(Appendix  C.) 

y  This  anecdote  of  Herrmann  the  Magician,  in  a  St.  Louis  newspaper  simply  illus- 
trates the  relative  value  of  many  new  theories.  After  reaching  the  market  he  walked 
up  to  a  huckster  stand  kept  by  a  credulous  old  German  named  Mrs.  Orf, 
asking  her,  as  he  looked  over  her  stock  of  provisions,  whether  the  eggs  she  had  on 
hand  were  good. 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  old  lady,  "  they  are  the  freshest  eggs  in  the  market.  If  you 
don't  think  so  just  break  one  and  see  for  yourself." 

The  magician  picked  up  the  egg  and  broke  it  open.  To  her  astonishment  three 
ten-dollar  gold  pieces  rolled  from  the  broken  shell,  which  she  grabbed  at  convul- 
sively, but  Herrmann  was  too  quick  for  her  and  pocketed  the  money,  while  she 
gesticulated  wildly  and  insisted  that  he  should  return  it  on  the  spot.  Instead  of 
complying  with  her  request,  however,  he  broke  another  egg,  from  which  four  ten- 
dollar  gold  pieces  rolled  out  among  the  vegetables.  This  was  too  much  for  Mrs. 
Orf,  who  told  him  to  leave  instantly  as  she  had  no  mere  eggs  to  waste. 


226  Tories  or  Loyalists 

Dr.  Pollock,  in  a  recent  essay,  has  told  us  that  *'  The 
ultimate  object  of  natural  science  is  to  predict  events  —  to  say 
with  approximate  accuracy  what  will  happen  under  given  con- 
ditions. Every  special  department  of  science  occupies  itself 
with  predicting  events  of  a  particular  kind ;  note,  also,  that 
each  science  occupies  itself  only  with  those  conditions  which 
are  material  for  its  own  purposes."  The  laws  of  science 
naturally  govern  both  men  and  nations.  While  all  of  their 
details  are  too  unlimited  for  the  capacity  of  a  single  mind,  it 
would  appear  that  each  of  those  controlled  by  them  may  realize 
in  his  own  experience,  some  valuable  developments  without 
assuming  to  devote  himself  to  any  specialty.  In  a  like  manner, 
some  study  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  government,  and  of  the 
conditions  which  have  influenced  prosperity  or  decadence,  may 
cause  the  reader  to  feel  that  he  is  more  capable  of  "  predicting 
events  of  a  particular  kind,"  such  as  those  incident  to  the  homo- 
geneous association  of  men  for  the  difficult  task  of  govern- 
ment. But,  while  the  study  of  science  may  be  properly  di- 
vided, does  it  not  seem  that  in  the  constant  observation  of 
every  detail  of  the  administration  of  a  republican  government, 
where  each  citizen  is  equally  interested  in  its  safety  and  success, 
if  not  in  its  control,  all  should  devote  their  relative  capacity, 
in  seeking  to  apply  to  it  all  those  principles  which  have  proved 
to  have  been  "  conditions  which  are  material  "  to  perpetuity  in 
former  experience,  and  to  reject  such  errors  as  have  often  re- 
sulted in  national  disaster  ? Sl 

5'  A  widely  read  Journal  of  the  day  would  appear  to  confirm  the  value  of  uniting 
t^ie  progress  of  those  material  "  conditions  "  in  enquiring  as  to  those  of  the  great 
metropolis  :  ."  Are  there  no  dangers  to-day  ?  Is  the  tax  levy  a  myth,  with  its  ten 
millions  for  salaries?  Are  our  officials  models  of  purity,  capacity,  and  fidelity?  Are 
public  works  conducted  with  economy  ?  Is  the  administration  of  municipal  affairs 
prudent  and  business  like  ?  If  so,  let  us  continue  to  think  about  reform,  after  the 
politicians  have  arranged  the  division  of  the  spoils ;  let  us  hold  meetings,  appoint 
committees,  pass  resolutions,  after  the  succession  to  the  lucrative  municipal  offices 
hag  been  decided  upon." 


in  the  Revolution.  227 

It  is  repeating  a  possibly  forgotten  truth>  that  Rome  was  in- 
wardly the  weakest  in  the  zenith  of  her  greatest  outward 
prosperity,  "  when  the  sun  "  it  was  said  "  in  its  whole  meridian 
course  kissed  her  legionary  eagles  scattered  over  every  clime." 
That  its  downfall  occurred,  when  its  people,  palled  by  success, 
became  luxurious  and  enervated,  with  a  growing  fondness  for 
the  appetible,  but  enfeebling  confections,  spread  before  them  by 
political  pastry  cooks,  and  neglected  the  wholesome  diet  of  sub- 
stantial facts,  on  which  the  Conscript  fathers  subsisted  while 
erecting  the  edifice,  and  which  they  prescribed  for  the  nour- 
ishment of  their  posterity. 

The  inference  of  a  matter  of  fact  citizen,  when  told  how 
"  Nero "  had  "fiddled  when  Rome  was  burning,"  "  that  he  must 
have  been  very  fond  of  music  to  lose  so  grand  a  spectacle  "  might 
apply  to  all  of  us  who  in  neglecting  to  take  an  interest  in  pass- 
ing events  are  uninformed  to  what  extent  we  are  excelling  Rome 
in  our  progress  and  whether  we  are  avoiding  all  of  the  errors 
which  finally  culminated  in  her  downfall. 

Another  prosperous  one,  borne  rapidly  along  by  the  present 
luxurious  appliances,  may  only  glance  upon  the  Obelisk, 
impressed  with  the  obligation  conferred  by  its  generous  gift,  and 
skillful  transportation  to  a  new  world,  and  conjecture  whether 
the  Egyptian  or  Roman  chariots,  it  looked  down  upon  for  ages 
after  its  erection,  compared  in  finish  and  comfort,  with  a  modern 
brougham  ;  but  not  whether  Western  Union,  Union  Pacific,  or 
any  other  Union,  will  stand  as  erect  and  last  as  long — through 
the  succession  of  long  dynasties  of  Ptolemies  and  Caesars  to  that 
of  lt  City  Fathers,"  without  similar  care  and  scientific  assistance. 

The  correspondent  at  Rome  of  the  "New  York  Evening  Post" 
recently  said  "  Brescia  is  still  excited  by  the  great  theme  of 


228  Tories  or  Loyalists 

Arnaldo.  But  we  are  getting  a  little  too  much  of  this  historical 
archaeology.  Manuta  is  preparing  to  observe  the  nineteenth 
centennary  of  Virgil ;  Arezzo  will  soon  keep  that  of  Guido 
Monaco,  the  inventor  of  musical  notes  ;  Arpim  that  of  Cicero, 
and  Urbino  that  of  Raphael.  Some  one  sagely  observes  "that 
instead  of  studying  so  intently  the  history  of  great  Italians  dead, 
it  were  better  to  improve  the  present  generation,  and  expect 
great  deeds  from  those  who  live." 

Although  it  is  true  that  Italy  has  not  in  later  generations 
equalled  those  of  the  past  in  producing  additions  to  her 
long  line  of  illustrious  names ;  and  that  her  progress  in  this  has 
been  outstripped  by  many  nations,  unborn  when  she  was  already 
grey,  it  is  proper  to  remember  her  heavy  fall  in  the  race  of 
destiny,  and  how  slow  the  recovery  is. 

If  the  traveler  in  that  classic  land  still  finds  himself  rather 
dreaming  of  her  former  greatness  than  awakened  to  evidences 
of  a  new  progress,  would  it  not  appear  that  it  was  therefore 
more  especially  needed  to  recall  past  triumphs,  to  inspire  in  a 
later  generation  a  spirit  of  pride,  a  desire  to  emulate,  and  a  search 
for  the  appliances  with  which  it  was  secured.  At  least  it  would 
seem  natural  to  us,  living  in  a  country  unpeopled  by  civilization 
at  the  time  when  they  were  wearing  its  laurels,  to  feel  grateful 
that  we  are  able  to  profit  by  the  results  of  their  early  labors,  which 
we  enjoy  in  our  schools,  galleries  and  industries,  and  that  each 
remembrance  of  their  name,  recalling  their  example  may  perhaps 
inspire  imitation  of  their  progress.  That  in  their  own  land  the 
persistence  in  thus  recording  those  memories,  must  with  wider 
educational  preparation,  in  time  incite  many  additional  aspirants, 
to  the  fame  of  those  whose  self  erected  monuments  tower  so 
near  them,  and  still  inspire  such  efforts,  in  keeping  their  memory 
green. 


in  the  Revolution.  229 

Have  not  such  revivals  of  the  past,  often  held  to  be  senti- 
mental, a  practical  use?  What  reflecting  man  can  pause 
near  that  Obelisk  without  recalling  its  wierd  history,  the 
scenes  it  has  witnessed,  and  the  eyes  that  *  ha^e  looked 
upon  it  in  its  forty  centuries,  the  changes  of  faith,  dynasties, 
and  conditions  of  the  human  race  which  it  records  but  of 
which  it  cannot  speak  ?  He  may  study  its  rugged  silence,  read 
there  the  history,  the  progress,  vicissitudes  and  relative  per- 
petuation of  men  and  things,  and  gain  a  lesson  of  the  littleness 
of  a  single  life,  which  passes  away  without  some  honored  record, 
only  adding  another  to  the  billions  who  have  tread  beneath  its 
shadow. 

Nearly  three-quarters  of  a  century  ago  Joseph  Delaplaine,  of 
Philadelphia,  an  early  appreciator  of  the  association  between 
that  ancient  republic  and  our  own,  then  young  ;  at  least  in  the 
coincidence  of  the  early  development  of  greatness,  said — with 
an  uninterrupted  flow  of  enthusiasm  —  in  the  prospectus  of  the 
"•Collection  of  the  Portraits  of  Distinguished  Americans,"  which 
still  usefully  recalls  his  own  name:  "With  a  pride  similar  to 
his  who,  in  the  mansion  of  his  ancestors,  loves  to  dwell  upon  the 
venerable  array  of  their  portraits  which  surrounds  him  ;  and,  by 
the  almost  living  glances  which  dart  from  the  canvas,  feels  him- 
self unconsciously  awed  to  virtue,  will  the  unborn  citizens  of  this 
expanding  hemisphere,  day  after  day,  delight  to  sojourn  amidst 
the  forms  of  the  fathers  of  their  country,  and  depart  from  the 
exhibition  with  newer  and  stronger  aspirations  after  virtuous 
renown  !  '  I  have  often,'  to  quote  the  language  of  the  historian 
of  the  Jugurthinian  war,  'heard  that  Quintus  Maximus  and 
Publius  Scipio,  and  other  illustrious  men  of  our  city,  were 
accustomed  to  declare,  when  they  looked  upon  the' portraits  of 
their  ancestors,  that  they  felt  their  minds  most  vehemently  ex- 


230  Tories  or  Loyalists 

cited  to  virtue.  Not,  indeed,  that  the  impression  or  the  figure 
produced  such  powerful  effects  upon  them,  but  by  the  recollec- 
tions of  the  achievements  of  these  great  characters,  that  a  flame 
was  created  in  their  breasts  not  to  be  quelled  until  they  should 
have  reached  an  equal  elevation  of  fame  and  glory.'  l  The 
history  of  such  men,'  says  the  learned  translator  of  Plutarch, 
'  is  a  continuous  lesson  of  practical  morality,'  and  wh^t  could 
be  a  more  pleasing  and  impressive  history  of  this  country  than 
that  which  would  be  exhibited  in  the  well-arranged  portraits  of 
those  by  whom  its  moral  and  political  grandeur  was  founded 
and  raised  to  perfection  ?  The  countenance  of  a  Washington 
would  mark  the  epoch  of  its  military,  and  of  a 'Franklin  of  its 
philosophical  glory  ;  and  all  the  galaxy  of  genius  around  them, 
while  furnishing  the  materials  for  memory  to  work  upon,  would 
create  new  heroes,  and  stimulate  new  sages,  new  statesmen  and  new 
orators." 

"  When  time  shall  have  swept  away  the  splendid  train  of 
our  earliest  philosophers,  statesmen  and  warriors,  to  swell  the 
gathering  of  the  grave  ;  when  the  tongue  of  genius  shall 
moulder  in  gloomy  silence  ;  when  the  eye  of  the  orator  shall 
be  closed  in  darkness,  and  the  spiritual  fires  of  its  glance  no 
longer  kindle  the  dormant  intellects  around  ;  when  the  warrior's 
arm  shall  be  sinewless,  and  by  the  side  of  his  decaying  form  the 
sword  of  his  triumphs  shall  lie  rusting  ;  when  the  patrons  of 
the  soil  shall  have  become  an  ingredient  in  its  physical  amal- 
gama  -,  a  generous  and  grateful  posterity  will  rank  amongst  the 
first  of  its  public  institutions,  that  which  will  afford  them,  in 
effects,  the  delights  of  a  sweet  and  familiar  intercourse  with 
beings  endeared  to  them  by  the  brilliance  of  their  talents,  and 
their  virtues,  as  well  as  by  the  benefits  which  they  conferred 
upon  the  land  of  their  birth." 


in  the  Revolution.  231 

Since  this  enthusiastic  patriot  thus  wrote,  with  many  of  his 
subjects  still  alive,  a  large  portion  of  a  century  has  given  us 
better  light  than  he  possessed  ! 

Many  had  then  been  born  under  the  sway  of  a  government 
which  they  once  loving,  had  lived  to  hate,  and  doubtless  the 
most  modest  of  those  who  had  aided  in  its  downfall  hoped 
that  their  names  would  survive,  often  recalled  in  history  and 
the  succession  of  their  descendants.5*  They  witnessed,  as 
it  were,  the  setting  out  of  a  small  train,  at  moderate  speed, 
which  we  see  vastly  extended  by  increase  and  emigration, 
wheeling  at  a  terrific  speed  over  a  widely  extended  track.  One 
later  accession,  that  of  California,  with  nearly  189,000  square 

52  Horatio  Seymour  a  life  long  appreciator  and  collector,  of  the  records  of  the 
achievements  of  those  who  opened  the  way  to  the  many  honors  that  have  been  con- 
ferred upon  or  offered  to  him,  in  reply  to  an  invitation  to  unite  in  the  Bi-Centennial 
Celebration  of  the  ancient  town  of  Yonkers  —  a  very  interesting  occasion  with  which 
the  contributor  as  an  old  resident  of  the  neighborhood  was  gratified  in  being  remem- 
bered, in  its  management — has  lately  written  to  its  Mayor  some  valuable  truths 
sustaining  these  impressions. 

"  I  regret  that  the  state  of  my  health  will  not  allow  me  to  attend  the  Bi-Centen- 
nial Celebration  at  Phillipse  Hall  at  Yonkers.  It  is  gratifying  to  learn  that  through- 
out our  State  there  is  shown  a  desire  to  mark  with  monuments  spots  of  historic 
interest,  and  to  collect  and  preserve  all  things  which  throw  light  upon  the  history 
of  the  past. 

These  things  not  only  show  but  they  create  a  spirit  of  patriotism,  they  give  value 
and  interest  to  the  scenes  which  they  mark  or  illustrate.  By  them  the  past  speaks 
to  the  present.  They  tell  us  much  of  the  history  of  early  events  ;  they  teach  us  our 
duties,  and  create  higher  standards  of  patriotism  and  virtue. 

Monuments,  historical  societies,  and  all  arrangements  to  collect  and  preserve  papers 
and  objects  relating  to  the  past,  not  only  teach  us  of  the  acts  and  virtues  of  the 
dead,  but  they  also  show  the  character  of  the  living  and  mark  the  civilization  of  the 
people.  Monuments  in  enduring  stone  have  for  many  centuries  been  silent  but 
potent  teachers  of  duty  and  devotion  to  the  public  welfare.  Even  now,  after  the 
lapse  of  many  centuries,  if  their  time-worn  remains  were  swept  away,  the  world 
would  feel  the  loss  of  objects  which  remind  us  of  our  duties  to  the  public. 

Heretofore  we  have  reason  to  mourn  the  want  of  historical  collections  through- 
out our  State  which  would  show  its  citizens  had  a  just  sense  of  the  great  and  varied 
events  of  its  history.  This  dishonored  not  the  dead  but  the  living.  Your  celebra- 
tion, and  others  of  a  like  character,  prove  that  our  citizens  are  waking  up  to  their 
duties,  and  mean  to  make  the  public  familiar  with  its  events,  the  most  varied  and 
far  reaching  of  any  portion  of  our  country." 

30 


232     .  Tories  or  Loyalists 

miles  of  territory,  over  68,000  more  than  the  whole  of  Great 
Britain,  best  illustrates  the  development  of  her  rebellious  child. 

By  the  suppression  of  the  Tory  or  his  departure,  by  the 
absorption  of  those  men  of  figure  who  then  largely  owned  the 
colonies  or  controlled  their  affairs,  by  the  extension  of  a  limited 
franchise  to  one  unbounded  and  unprecedented  in  its  beneficence, 
by  the  want  of  much  consideration  for  family  service,  in  public 
affairs,  and  by  the  omission  to  a  great  extent  of  any  veneration  for 
official  position,  we  are  all  now  equals  before  the  law  ;  coequal 
sovereigns  like  the  old  Electors  Palatine  who  chose  by  vote  the 
Emperor.  Still  those  patriot  fathers  would  seem  to  be  the  parents 
by  adoption  of  every  citizen,  particularly  of  those  who  are  coming 
to  wear  the  crown  which  they  created,  at  least  until  by  the 
prosperity  open  to  most  who  seek  it,  they  in  turn,  create 
positions,  dating  from  their  birth  or  arrival  in  the  New  World 
in  which  each  one,  equalling  the  usefulness  of  those  predeces- 
sors may  claim  to  be  the  "  Rudolph  of  Hapsburg "  of  his 
own  family,  by  contributing  as  honored  a  portrait  and  name  as 
theirs  to  posterity. 

The  acquisition  of  property,  gives  an  additional  interest 
in  the  nationality  to  each  one  who  achieves  an  ownership, 
however  small,  and  its  distribution  amongst  many  in  such 
divisions  is  the  greatest  guarantee  of  perpetuity.  A  State  will 
be  found,  in  all  time,  to  have  been  most  prosperous,  where 
property  was  most  divided,  and  where  the  extremes  of  the  very 
rich,  and  the  very  poor,  are  exceptional,  for  the  reason  that  the 
hundreds  of  one  man  by  the  laws  of  nature  are  as  valuable  to 
him  as  the  millions  of  another.  But  there  is  a  common  security 
under  a  thoroughly  popular  form  of  government,  that  even  the 
man  who  owns  one  dollar,  is  a  stockholder.  We  watch  our  in- 
vestment, in  all  other  securities,  and  if  in  stocks  study  the  daily 


in  the  Revolution.  233 

prices.  Do  we  sufficiently  realize  that  they  are  mere  "  con- 
nections" with  the  honest  administration  and  prosperity  of  the 
government,  and  exist  in  its  permanency  alone  ?  Would  it 
not  seem  that  any  vigilance  displayed,  in  the  selection  of  trus- 
tees of  those  lesser  securities,  with  a  view  to  their  prosperity 
and  honor,  must  apply  with  greater  force  to  that  of  the  govern- 
ment, which  is  the  trunk  line. 

If  a  stockholder  suspects  that  his  property  is  controlled  by 
directors  forced  upon  him  by  bargain  and  traffic,  by  primaries 
to  which  he  has  no  access,  by  organizations,  machines  or  rings 
"ormed  to  control  the  agents  and  property  of  any  corporation, 
in  the  interests  of  a  self-selected  few,  would  he  not  if  he  had 
read  of  it,  conceive  that  it  was  in  danger  of  returning  to  a  class 
government,  more  dangerous  than  the  one  that  was  annihilated 
by  the  Revolution  of  1776  ? 

If  the  air  were  tainted  by  the  fumes  of  a  conflagration  would  he 
not  seek  for  its  location  and  flood  it  with  water  for  the  common 
good  ;  and  if  it  was  filled  with  nauseous  rumors  of  selfish,  and 
even  dishonest  combinations,  for  the  control  of  his  corporate 
property,  turn  his  attention  to  the  necessity  of  vigilance  and  of 
putting  trusted  parties  in  its  charge  ?  All  political  history  shows 
that  two  parties  are  necessary  to  a  State,  each  a  safety  valve  to 
the  other,  that  a  community  is  no  sufferer  by  the  parliamentary 
discussion  of  questions  of  policy,  where  its  people  differ,  but 
that  when  such  issues  are  avoided,  by  the  fear  of  either  or  both 
parties,  to  assume  a  policy,  then  there  is  greater  danger  in  com- 
binations of  the  worst  element  in  both,  for  impure  and  selfish  leg- 
islation. That  all  coalitions  have  been  looked  upon  with  doubt, 
we  gather  from  such  history,  that  the  most  competent,  are 
often  the  most  modest,  in  claiming  place,  while  all  countries 
have  been  supplied  with  varied  voluntary  material  for  office  and 


234-  Tories  or  Loyalists 

power  from  the  best,  down  to  such  as  that  which  assassinated  a 
president,  because  a  worthless  life  seemed  to  him  unfitting  for 
reward,  as  a  minister  to  Austria  or  consul  to  Paris  ! 

Doubtless  many  cultivated  readers,  versed  —  as  an  example  — 
in  the  teachings  of  Spencer,  Huxley  and  Tyndall,  perhaps  from 
the  absence  of  an  appreciative  taste,  disregard  the  lessons  of  that 
history,  of  which  most  men,  are  unknowingly  forming  part,  either 
by  action  or  its  neglect.  All  concede  the  value  of  patriotism, 
many  are  often  critical  as  to  its  presence  as  an  impulse  ;  possibly 
few  consider  that  merely  as  an  accomplishment  it  can  be 
acquired  by  the  study  of  its  many  results,  or  of  the  effects  of  its 
absence.  A  less  cultivated  but  patriotic  and  shrewd  observer 
like  Mrs.  Grundy — whose  views  have  often  become  the  reflex  of 
public  opinion — is  in  many  cases  more  useful,  than  a  more  learned 
perfunctionary  and  statistical  manipulator.  (Appendix  D.) 

In  complying  with  his  promise  to  the  editor,  the  contributor 
has  sought,  in  adding  some  material  connected  wirh  his  under- 
taking, to  incidentally  consider  our  progress  in  the  eradication 
of  the  complaints  against  the  government  on  which  we  were 
founded,  and  the  uses  we  were  making  of  a  wonderful  legacy, 
by  following  past  history. 

That  gentleman's  thoughtful  note,  at  the  end  of  his  own 
contribution  —  as  to  the  difficulties  under  which  they  have  been 
loosely  thrown  together,  gives  the  opportunity  to  say  that  he 
has  neither  seen  the  manuscript,  nor  is  he  responsible  for  its 
contents,  its  contribution  being  purely  voluntary. 

Not  happening  to  have  met  either  himself  or  General  de 
Peyster  since  it  was  undertaken,  and  having  no  knowledge  of 
what  the  latter  had  contributed  to  this  accidentally  triple  asso- 
ciation, he  fears  that  in  his  friendly  desire  to  aid  in  his  natural 


in  the  Revolution.  235 

effort  to  vindicate  the  memory  of  his  relative,  he  may  have  re- 
peated or  controverted  some  of  the  views,  which  he  has  doubtless, 
with  his  usual  independency,  asserted.  In  either  such  event,  it 
has  been  his  object  to  express  the  sympathy  study  teaches  to 
humanity,  as  to  the  unfortunate  fate  and  hardships  of  the  Loyal- 
ists. In  doing  this  he  does  not  feel  that  he  detracts  from  his  own 
fealty  to  the  government  formed  on  their  ruin,  in  which  it  is 
his  pride  to  have  been  bred  to  feel  the  responsibility  of 
aiding  to  hand  it  down,  as  a  home  of  freedom  wisely  adminis- 
tered, to  future  generations.  This  explanation  appears  proper 
to  account  for  any  apparent  want  of  cohesion,  or  accord,  in  the 
expression  of  individual,  and  therefore  possibly  conflicting 
opinion,  in  arriving  at  a  common  purpose,  of  recalling  the 
memory  of  historical  characters. 

On  a  final  reading  of  this  contribution,  it  suggests  some  resem- 
blance to  a  trunk  hastily  packed  for  a  journey,  with  an  oppor- 
tunity for  selection  from  a  sufficient  wardrobe,  which  when 
resorted  to,  is  found  to  contain  some  articles  better  fitted  for 
the  seclusion  of  a  private  apartment,  than  for  public  use,  and  to 
lack,  many  others  more  adaptable,  but  improvidently  left  at 
home. 

SPRING  HOUSE,  RICHFIELD, 
September,    1882. 


APPENDIX   A. 


COL.   GUY  JOHNSON'S  LETTER   (page  ^l^a). 


The  following  letter  from  Col.  Guy  Johnson  to  his  uncle,  is  also  found  in  Dr. 
Emmett's  collection.  It  gives  some  particulars  illustrative  of  the  surroundings  of 
both. 

N.  YORK,  Feby.  10,  1773. 
MY  DEAR  SIR  WILLIAM, 

I  have  just  now  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  your  very  kind  letter  of  the  3d 
inst.,  with  one  from  Dr.  Dease*,  another  from  Brother  Claus,  lor  which  I  am  much 
obliged  to  them.  It  has  vexed  me  a  good  deal  to  hear  that  your  Votes  did  not  go 
up  early.  They  went  by  John  Glen,  and  Gainef  assures  me  he  has  forwarded  a 
sett  since.  As  the  titles  of  several  bills  are  altered  in  the  Committees,  it  may  be 
necessary  to  acquaint  you  thai  the  Road  bill  and  money  bill  for  building  a  Ct.  House, 
&c.,  are  passed  through  every  form  and  the  Tavern  Bill,  Swine  Bill,  Wolf  Bill  and 
Ferry  Bill,  will  be  in  a  very  tew  days.  You  will  find  me  voting  on  a  side  that  some 
people  might  not  expect.  It  will  all  be  accounted  for  in  due  time,  but  is  chiefly 
owing  to  certain  difficulties  imposed  'on  the  Governor.  The,  other  day  they  were 
for  saddling  a  £50  per  annum  Salary,  on  the  Judges  of  Circuit,  to  be  paid  out  of 
our  County,  but  after  much  difficulty,  I  got  it  laid  general  on  the  Province,  Major 
SkeneJ  is  just  going  for  Ireland.  He  has  the  other  day  got  his  place  established  as 
the  County  town.  The  Pacquet  is  arrived.  All  Peace  at  home.  The  General 
has  got  the  King's  leave  to  go  to  England,  and  will  sail  in  June  with  his  family. 
Haldemand|  comes  to  take  the  command ;  and  Governor  Tryon  (it  is  said)  will 
have  the  vacant  Red  Ribband.  He  has  taken  much  pains  about  the  Indian  matters, 
Banyar||  advises  to  get  an  Act  for  Fairs  and  Markets  in  lieu  of  the  Ordinance,  but 
the  Governor  choses  the  latter.  In  the  Charter  for  the  Church  a  description  of  the 
Glebe  is  absolutely  necessary  and  how  the  right  presentation  should  go.  I  hope  you 

*  Dr.  John  Dease  was  an  Executor  and  Trustee  under  Sir  William's  will. 

t  Hugh  Gaine,  editor  of  the  Niw  Turk  Mtrcury,  printed  in  Hanover  Square ;  established  in 
1751. 

\  Col.  Philip  Skene  was  settled  at  Skenesborough  (now  Whitehall),  and  was  actively  employed 
by  Burgoyne  in  his  invasion. 

§  Gen.  Gage  came  in  lieu  of  Haldimand. 

i  Goldsboro  Banyar. 


238  7tf/w^  ,/ir  Loyalists 


will  continue  your  Parental  attention  to  Polly  and  the  little  ones,  she  is  I  believe 
surprised  I  stay  so  long  and  I  eagerly  wish  to  return.  The  girls  are  well  and  much 
esteemed.  The  like  may  be  said  with  great  truth  of  Sir  John.  He  will  return  with 
me  and  doubtless  lay  before  you,  the  final  determination  of  the  Family  here,  respect- 
ing his  union  which  I  see  nothing  to  prevent.  The  lady*  is  a  fine  Genteel  Girl, 
much  esteemed  as  well  on  acco't  of  the  goodness  of  her  Temper,  as  of  her  uncommon 
abilities,  and  she  is  ready  to  follow  him  anywhere. 

The  man  calls  for  my  Letter,  so  that  I  can  only  beg  a  continuance  of  your  cor- 
respondence, which  yields  me  much  real  pleasure,  and  assure  you  once  more  of  the 
Cordial  Wishes  I  offer  for  your  Health  and  happiness,  and  the  true  Affection  with 
which  I  subscribe  myself, 

My  dear  Sir, 

Your  dutiful  son  and  faithful  servant, 

G.   JOHNSON.f 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  Bt. 


APPENDIX  B. 


MR.    HERBERT     SPENCER'S    FIRST    IMPRESSIONS    OF     AMERICA 

(page  223). 


The  immense  progress  of  America,  attracting  the  attention  of  Europe,  makes  it  the 
field  for  that  observing  travel,  long  confined  to  the  seats  of  departed  greatness.  The 
Emperor  of  Brazil,  Petermann,  Nordenskjold  and  a  Baker  Pacha,  all  notable  in  explor- 
ation, Hughes,  Dean  Stanley,  Thackeray,  Dickens,  observers  of  character,  the  Prince 
of  Wales,  and  Alexis  and  the  Duke  of  Argyle,  have  come  to  us  in  late  years}  others 
are  following,  some  of  them  less  known  but  fully  as  competent,  to  view  and 
estimate  its  reputed  greatness.  Dr.  Mackenzie,  an  eminent  specialist  of  London, 
has  recently  made  a  wide,  rapid  and  intelligent  exploration,  and  is  now  succeeded 
by  Herbert  Spencer,  noted  for  the  independence  with  which  he  has  often  asserted 
advanced  ideas  on  questions  intended  to  affect  humanity.  He  who  looks  at  him- 
self in  a  glass,  often  derives  a  different  impression  from  that  of  another,  who 
disinterestedly  criticises  a*  portrait  satisfactory  to  the  owner.  An  interview,  given 
to  the  public  since  the  foregoing  crude  inferences  were  printed, J  and  arriving  in  some 

*  Miss  Mary  Watts,  daughter  of  John  Watts,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  to  whom  Sir  John  WM 
married  on  the  igth  of  June  following.; 

t  Col.  Guy  Johnson  was  then  a  new  Member  of  the  Colonial  Assembly.  See  Stone's  "  Sir 
William  Johnson,"  vol.  2,  page  359. 

\   fftw  Ttrk  Timti,  Oct.  loth. 


in  the  Revolution.  239 

cases  at  different  conclusions,  appears  to  be  an  unfinished  sketch  worthy  to  be  hung 
by  the  side  of  the  completed  picture,  to  which  Delaplaine  referred.  If  in  express- 
ing his  views,  as  a  humanitarian,  upon  the  progress  of  a  sapling  torn  from  the 
royal  oak,  any  impression  of  national  jealousy  is  suggested,  is  it  not  well  to  recall  the 
truthful  adage  "  fas  est  et  ab  hoste  doceri."  Mr.  Spencer,  with  the  appreciation 
wanting  in  the  Obelisk,  and  with  some  of  its  experience  derived  from  study  of  pro- 
gressive races  and  their  development.  After  speaking  of  inferential  facts,  being  asked  : 

"  Might  not  this  misrepresentation  have  been  avoided  by  admitting  interviewers?" 
replies, 

"  Possibly  ;  but,  in  the  first  place,  I  have  not  been  sufficiently  well ;  and,  in  the 
tecond  place,  I  am  averse  to  the  system.  To  have  to  submit  to  cross  examination, 
under  penalty  of  having  ill  natured  things  said  if  one  refuses,  is  an  invasion  of  per- 
»onal  liberty  which  I  dislike.  Moreover,  there  is  implied  what  seems  to  me  an 
undue  love  of  personalities.  Your  journals  recall  a  witticism  of  the  poet  Heine,  who 
said  that  '  when  a  woman  writes  a  novel,  she  has  one  eye  on  the  paper  and  the 
other  on  some  man  —  except  the  Countess  Hahn-hahn,  who  has  only  one  eye.' 
In  like  manner,  it  seems  to  me  that  in  the  political  discussions  that  fill  your  papers, 
everything  is  treated  in  connection  with  the  doings  of  individuals — some  candidate 
for  office,  or  some  "  boss  "  or  wire-puller.  I  think  it  not  improbable  that  thi« 
appetite  for  personalties,  among  other  evils,  generates  this  recklessness  of  statement. 
The  appetite  must  be  ministered  to  ;  and  in  the  eagerness  to  satisfy  its  cravings, 
there  comes  less  and  less  care  respecting  the  correctness  of  what  is  said." 

"  Has  what  you  have  seen  answered  your  expectations  ?  " 

"  It  has  far  exceeded  them.  Such  books  about  America  as  I  had  looked  into  had 
given  me  no  adequate  idea  of  the  immense  developments  of  material  civilization 
which  I  have  everywhere  found.  The  extent,  wealth,  and  magnificence  of  your  cities, 
and  especially  the  splendor  of  New  York,  have  altogether  astonished  me.  Though 
I  have  not  visited  the  wonder  of  the  West,  Chicago,  yet  some  of  your  minor  modern 
places,  such  as  Cleveland,  have  sufficiently  amazed  me  by  the  marvelous  results  of 
one  generation's  activity.  Occasionally,  when  I  have  been  in  places  of  some  10,000 
inhabitants,  where  the  telephone  is  in  general  use,  I  have  felt  somewhat  ashamed 
of  our  own  unenterprising  towns,  many  of  which  of  50,000  inhabitants  and  more, 
make  no  use  of  it." 

"  I  suppose  you  recognize  in  these  results  the  great  benefit  of  free  institutions  ?" 

"Ah,  now  comes  one  of  the  inconveniences  of  interviewing.  I  have  been  in  the 
country  less  than  two  months,  have  seen  but  a  relatively  small  part  of  it,  and  but 
comparatively  few  people,  and  yet  you  wish  from  me  a  definite  opinion  on  a  difficult 
question." 

"  Perhaps  you  will  answer,  subject  to  the  qualification  that  you  are  but  giving 
your  first  impressions  ?" 

Well,  with  that  understanding,  I  may  reply  that,  though  free  institutions  have 
been  partly  the  cause,  I  think  they  have  not  been  the  chief  cause.  In  the  first 
place,  the  American  people  have  come  into  possession  of  an  unparalled  fortune  — 
the  mineral  wealth  and  the  vast  tracts  of  virgin  soil  producing  abundantly  with  small 
cost  of  culture.  Manifestly  that  alone  goes  a  long  way  toward  producing  this 
enormous  prosperity.  Then  they  have  profited  by  inheriting  all  the  arts,  appliances, 
and  methods  developed  by  older  societies,  while  leaving  behindfthe  obstructions  existing 
in  them.  They  have  been  able  to  pick  and  choose  from  the  products  of  all  past  ex- 
perience, appropriating  the  good  and  rejecting  the  bad.  Then,  besides  these  favors 
of  fortune,  there  are  factors  proper  to  themselves.  I  perceive  in  American  faces 
generally,  a  great  amount  of  determination  —  a  kind  of  "  do  or  die  "  expression  ;  and 

31 


24-O  Tories  or  Loyalists 

this  trait  of  character,  joined  with  a  power  of  work  exceeding  that  of  any  other 
people,  of  course  produces  an  unparalleled  rapidity  of  progress.  Once  more,  there  is 
the  inventiveness  which  stimulated  by  the  need  for  economizing  labor,  has  been  so 
wisely  fostered.  Among  us  in  England  there  are  many  foolish  people  who  while 
thinking  that  a  man  who  toils  with  his  hands  has  an  equitable  claim  to  the  product, 
and  if  he  has  special  skill  may  rightly  have  the  advantage  of  it,  also  hold  that  if  a 
man  toils  with  his  brain,  perhaps  for  years,  and,  uniting  genius  with  perseverance, 
evolves  some  valuable  invention,  the  public  may  rightly  claim  the  benefit  The 
Americans  have  been  more  far-seeing.  The  enormous  museum  of  patents  which  I 
saw  at  Washington  is  significant  of  the  attention  paid  to  inventors'  claims,  and  the 
Nation  profits  immensely  from  having  in  this  direction  (though  not  in  all  others) 
recognized  property  in  mental  products.  Beyond  question,  in  respect  of  mechanical 
appliances,  the  Americans  are  ahead  of  all  nations.  If  along  with  your  material 
progress  there  went  equal  progress  of  a  higher  kind,  there  would  remain  nothing  to 
be  wished." 

"  That  is  an  ambiguous  qualification.  What  do  you  mean  by  it  ?" 
"  You  will  understand  when  I  tell  you  what  I  was  thinking  of  the  other  day. 
After  pondering  over  what  I  have  seen  of  your  vast  manufacturing  and  trading  es- 
tablishments, the  rush  of  traffic  in  your  street  cars  and  elevated  railways,  your  gigan- 
tic hotels  and  Fifth-avenue  palaces,  I  was  suddenly  reminded  of  the  Italian  republics 
of  the  Middle  Ages,  and  recalled  the  fact  that  while  there  was  growing  up  in  them 
great  commercial  activity,  a  development  of  the  arts  which  made  them  the  envy  of 
Europe,  and  a  building  of  princely  mansions  which  continue  to  be  the  admiration  of 
travelers,  their  people  were  gradually  losing  their  freedom." 

"  Do  you  mean  this  as  a  suggestion  that  we  are  doing  the  like  ?" 
"  It  seems  to  me  that  you  are.  You  retain  the  forms  of  freedom,  but  so  far  as  I 
can  gather,  there  has  been  a  considerable  loss  of  the  substance.  It  is  true  that 
those  who  rule  you  do  not  do  it  by  means  of  retainers  armed  with  swords  ;  but  they 
do  it  through  regiments  of  men  armed  with  voting-papers,  who  obey  the  word  of 
command  as  loyally  as  did  the  dependents  of  the  old  feudal  nobles,  and  who  thus 
enable  their  leaders  to  override  the  general  will  and  make  the  community  submit 
to  their  exactions  as  effectually  as  their  prototypes  of  old.  It  is  doubtless  true  that 
each  of  your  citizens  votes  for  the  candidate  he  chooses  for  this  or  that  office  from 
President  downward,  but  his  hand  is  guided  by  a  power  behind,  which  leaves  him 
scarcely  any  choice.  '  Use  your  political  power  as  we  tell  you,  or  else  throw  it 
away,'  is  the  alternative  offered  to  the  citizen.  The  political  machinery  as  it  is  now 
worked  has  little  resemblance  to  that  contemplated  at  the  outset  of  your  political 
life.  Manifestly,  those  who  framed  your  Constitution  never  dreamed  that  20,000 
citizens  would  go  to  the  poll  led  by  a  u  boss."  America  exemplifies,  at  the  other 
end  of  the  social  scale,  a  change  analogous  to  that  which  has  taken  place  under 
tundry  despotisms.  You  know  that  in  Japan,  before  the  recent  revolution,  the 
divine  ruler,  the  Mikado,  nominally  supreme,  was  practically  a  puppet  in  the  hands 
of  his  chief  Minister  the  Shogun.  Here  it  seems  to  me  that  the  4  sovereign  people  ' 
is  fast  becoming  a  puppet  which  moves  and  speaks  as  wire-pullers  determine." 
"  Then  you  think  that  republican  institutions  are  a  failure." 

"  By  no  means  !  I  imply  no  such  conclusion.  Thirty  years  ago,  when  often  dis- 
cussing politics  with  an  English  friend,  and  defending  republican  institutions,  as  I 
always  have  done  and  do  still ;  and  when  he  urged  against  me  the  ill-working  of 
luch  institutions  over  here  ;  I  habitually  replied  that  the  Americans  got  their  form 
of  government  by  a  happy  accident,  not  by  normal  progress,  and  that  they  would 
have  to  go  back  before  they  could  go  forward.  What  has  since  happened  seems  to 


in  the  Revolution.  24.1 

me  to  have  justified  that  view  j  and  what  I  see  now  confirms  me  in  it.  America  is 
showing  on  a  larger  scale  than  ever  before  that  '  paper  constitutions  '  will  not  work 
as  they  are  intended  to  work.  The  truth,  first  recognized  by  Mackintosh,  that 
'  constitutions  are  not  made,  but  grow,'  which  is  part  of  the  larger  truth  that 
societies  throughout  their  whole  organizations  are  not  made  but  grow  at  once,  when 
accepted,  disposes  of  the  notion  that  you  can  work,  as  you  hope,  any  artificially  de- 
vised system  of  government.  It  becomes  an  inference  that  if  your  political  structure 
hat  been  manufactured,  and  not  grown,  it  will  forthwith  begin  to  grow  into  some- 
thing different  from  that  intended — something  in  harmony  with  the  natures  of 
citizens  and  the  conditions  under  which  the  society  exists.  And  it  evidently  has 
been  so  with  you.  Within  the  forms  of  your  Constitution  there  has  grown  up  this 
organization  of  professional  politicians,  altogether  uncontemplated  at  the  outset, 
which  has  become  in  large  measure  the  ruling  power." 

"  But  will  not  education  and  the  diffusion  of  political  knowledge  fit  men  for  free 
institutions  ?" 

"  No.  It  is  essentially  a  question  of  character,  and  only  in  a  secondary  degree  a 
question  of  knowledge.  But  for  the  universal  delusion  about  education  as  a  panacea 
for  political  evils,  this  would  have  been  made  sufficiently  clear  by  the  evidence  daily 
disclosed  in  your  papers.  Are  not  the  men  who  officer  and  control  your  Federal, 
State,  and  municipal  organizations  —  who  manipulate  your  caucusses  and  conven- 
tions, and  run  your  partisan  campaigns  —  all  educated  men  ?  And  has  their  educa- 
tion prevented  them  from  engaging  in  or  permitting,  or  condoning,  the  briberies, 
lobbyings,  and  other  corrupt  methods  which  vitiate  the  actions  of  your  administra- 
tions ?  Perhaps  party  newspapers  exaggerate  these  things;  but  what  am  I  to  make 
of  the  testimony  of  your  civil  service  reformers —  men  of  all  parties  ?  If  I  under- 
stand the  matter  aright,  they  are  attacking,  as  vicious  and  dangerous,  a  system  which 
has  grown  up  under  the  natural  spontaneous  working  of  your  free  institutions  —  are 
exposing  vices  which  education  has  proved  powerless  to  prevent." 

"  Of  course,  ambitious  and  unscrupulous  men  will  secure  the  offices,  and  educa- 
tion will  aid  them  in  their  selfish  purposes  ;  but  would  not  those  purposes  be  thwarted, 
and  better  government  secured,  by  raising  the  standard  of  knowledge  among  the 
people  at  large  ?" 

"  Very  little.  The  current  theory  is  that  if  the  young  are  taught  what  is  right, 
and  the  reasons  why  it  is  right,  they  will  do  what  is  right  when  they  grow  up. 
But,  considering  what  religious  teachers  have  been  doing  these  2,000  years,  it  seems 
to  me  that  all  history  is  against  the  conclusion,  as  much  as  is  the  conduct  of  these 
well  educated  citizens  I  have  referred  to;  and  I  do  not  see  why  you  expect  better 
results  among  the  masses.  Personal  interests  will  sway  the  men  in  the  ranks  as 
they  sway  the  men  above  them,  and  the  education  which  fails  to  make  the  last 
consult  public  good  rather  than  private  good  will  fail  to  make  the  first  do  it.  The 
benefits  of  political  purity  are  so  general  and  remote,  and  the  profit  to  each  indivi- 
dual so  inconspicuous,  that  the  common  citizen,  educate  him  as  you  like,  will 
habitually  occupy  himself  with  his  personal  affairs,  and  hold  it  not  worth  his  while 
to  fight  against  each  abuse 'as  soon  as  it  appears.  Not  lack  of  information,  but  lack 
of  certain  moral  sentiments,  is  the  root  of  the  evil." 

"  You  mean  that  people  have  not  a  sufficient  sense  of  public  duty  ? 

"  Well,  that  is  one  way  of  putting  it;  but  there  is  a  more  specific  way.  Probably 
it  will  suprise  you  if  I  say  that  the  American  has  not,  I  think,  a  sufficiently  quick 
sense  of  his  own  claims,  and,  at  the  same  time,  as  a  necessary  consequence,  not  a 
sufficiently  quick  sense  of  the  claims  of  others  —  for  the  two  traits  are  organically 
related.  .  I  observe  that  you  tolerate  various  small  interferences  and  dictations  which 


242  Tories  or  Loyalists 

Englishmen  are  prone  to  resist.  1  am  told  that  the  English  are  remarked  on  for 
their  tendency  to  grumble  in  such  cases ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  it  is  true." 

"  Do  you  think  it  worth  while  for  people  to  make  themselves  disagreeable  by  re- 
tenting  every  trifling  aggression  ?  We  Americans  think  it  involves  too  much  loss 
of  time  and  temper  and  doesn't  pay." 

"Exactly.  That  is  what  I  mean  by  character.  It  is  this  easy  going  readiness  to 
permit  small  trespasses  because  it  would  be  troublesome  or  profitless  or  unpopular  to 
oppose,  which  leads  to  the  habit  of  acquiescence  in  wrong  and  the  decay  of  free  in- 
stitutions. Free  institutions  can  be  maintained  only  by  citizens,  each  of  whom  is 
instant  to  oppose  every  illegitimate  act,  every  assumption  of  supremacy,  every  official 
excess  of  power,  however  trivial  it  may  seem.  As  Hamlet  says,  there  is  such  a 
thing  as  '  greatly  to  find  quarrel  in  a  straw  '  when  the  straw  implies  a  principle. 
If,  as  you  say  of  the  American,  he  pauses  to  consider  whether  he  can  afford  the  time 
and  trouble  —  'whether  it  will  pay' — corruption  is  sure  to  creep  in.  All  these 
lapses  from  higher  to  lower  forms  begin  in  trifling  ways,  and  it  is  only  by  incessant 
watchfulness  that  they  can  be  prevented.  As  one  of  your  early  statesmen  said  : 
"The  price  of  liberty  is  eternal  vigilance."  But  it  is  far  less  against  foreign  ag- 
gressions upon  national  liberty  that  this  vigilance  is  required  than  against  the  insi- 
dious growth  of  domestic  interferences  with  personal  liberty.  In  some  private 
administrations  which  I  have  been  concerned  with,  I  have  often  insisted,  much  to 
the  disgust  of  officials,  that  instead  of  assuming,  as  people  usually  do,  that  things  are 
going  right  until  it  is  proved  that  they  are  going  wrong,  the  proper  course  is  to 
assume  that  they  are  going  wrong  until  it  is  proved  that  they  are  going  right.  You 
will  find,  continually,  that  private  corporations,  such  as  joint-stock  banking  com- 
panies, come  to  grief  from  not  acting  upon  this  principle.  And  what  holds  of  these 
small  and  simple  private  administrations,  holds  still  more  of  the  great  and  complex 
public  administrations.  People  are  taught,  and,  I  suppose,  believe,  that  'the  heart 
of  man  is  deceitful  above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked  ; '  and  yet,  strangely 
enough,  believing  this,  they  place  implicit  trust  in  those  they  appoint  to  this  or  that 
function.  I  do  not  think  so  ill  of  human  nature  ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  I  do  "not 
think  so  well  of  human  nature  as  to  believe  it  will  do  without  being  watched.'* 

"  You  hinted  that  while  Americans  do  not  assert  their  own  individualties  suffi- 
ciently in  small  matters,  they,  reciprocally,  do  not  sufficiently  respect  the  indivi- 
dualities of  others." 

"  Did  I  ?  Here,  then,  comes  another  of  the  inconveniences  of  interviewing.  I 
should  have  kept  this  opinion  to  myself  if  you  had  asked  me  no  questions,  and  now 
I  must  either  say  what  I  do  not  think,  which  I  cannot,  or  I  must  refuse  to  answer, 
which,  perhaps,  will  be  taken  to  mean  more  than  I  intend,  or  I  must  specify  at  the 
risk  of  giving  offense.  As  the  least  evil  I  suppose  I  must  do  the  last.  The  trait  I 
refer  to  comes  out  in  various  ways,  small  and  great.  It  is  shown  by  the  disrespectful 
manner  in  which  individuals  are  dealt  with  in  your  journals  —  the  placarding  of  public 
men  in  sensational  headings,  the  dragging  of  private  people  and  their  affairs  into 
print.  There  seems  to  be  a  notion  that  the  public  have  a  right  to  intrude  on  private 
life  as  far  as  they  like  ;  and  this  I  take  to  be  a  kind  of  moral  trespassing.  It  is  true 
that  during  the  last  few  years  we  have  been  discredited  in  London  by  certain  weekly 
papers  which  do  the  like  (except  in  the  typographical  display);  but  in  our  daily  press, 
metropolitan  and  provincial,  there  is  nothing  of  the  kind.  Then,  in  a  larger  way, 
the  trait  is  seen  in  this  damaging  of  private  property  by  your  elevated  railways  with- 
out making  compensation  ;  and  it  is  again  seen  in  the  doings  of  railway  government*, 
not  only  when  overriding  the  rights  of  shareholders,  but  in  dominating  over  courts 
of  justice  and  State  governments.  The  fact  is  that  free  institutions  can  be  properly 


in  the  Revolution.  243 


worked  only  by  men  each  of  whom  is  jealous  of  his  own  rights,  and  also  sympatheti- 
cally jealous  of  the  rights  of  others — will  neither  himself  aggress  on  his  neighbors, 
in  small  things  or  great,  nor  tolerate  aggression  on  them  by  others.  The  Republi- 
can form  of  Government  is  the  highest  form  of  Government,  but  because  of  this  it 
requires  the  highest  type  of  human  nature — a  type  nowhere  at  present  existing. 
We  have  not  grown  up  to  it,  nor  have  you." 

"  But  we  thought,  Mr.  Spencer,  you  were  in  favor  of  free  government  in  the 
tense  of  relaxed  restraints,  and  letting  men  and  things  very  much  alone  —  or  what 
is  called  laittes&fairt  f 

"  That  is  a  persistent  misunderstanding  of  my  opponents.  Everywhere,  along  with 
the  reprobation  of  government  intrusion  into  various  spheres  where  private  activities 
should  be  left  to  themselves,  I  have  contended  that  in  irs  special  sphere,  the  main- 
tenance of  equitable  relations  among  citizens,  governmental  action  should  be  ex- 
tended and  elaborated." 

"  To  return  to  your  various  criticisms,  must  I  then  understand  that  you  think  un- 
favorably of  our  future  ?" 

"  No  one  can  form  anything  more  than  vague  and  general  conclusions  respecting 
your  future.  The  factors  are  too'  numerous,  too  vast,  too  far  beyond  measure  in 
their  quantities  and  intensities.  The  world  has  never  before  seen  social  phenomena 
at  all  comparable  with  those  presented  in  the  United  States.  A  society  spreading 
over  enormous  tracts  while  still  preserving  its  political  continuity,  is  a  new  thing. 
This  progressive  incorporation  of  vast  bodies  of  immigrants  of  various  bloods  has 
never  occurred  on  such  a  scale  before.  Large  empires,  composed  of  different  people, 
have,  in  previous  cases,  been  formed  by  conquest  and  annexation.  Then  your  im- 
mense plexus  of  railways  and  telegraphs  tends  to  consolidate  this  vast  aggregate  of 
States  in  a  way  that  no  such  aggregate  has  ever  before  been  consolidated.  And  there 
are  many  minor  co-operating  causes  unlike  those  hitherto  known.  No  one  can  say 
how  it  is  all  going  to  work  out.  That  there  will  come  hereafter  troubles  of  various 
kinds,  and  very  grave  ones,  seems  highly  probable;  but  all  nations  have  had,  and 
will  have,  their  troubles.  Already  you  have  triumphed  over  one  great  trouble,  and 
may  reasonably  hope  to  triumph  over  others.  It  may,  I  think,  be  reasonably  held 
that  both  because  of  its  size  and  the  heterogeneity  of  its  components,  the  American 
nation  will  be  a  long  time  in  evolving  its  ultimate  form,  but  that  its  ultimate  form 
will  be  high.  One  great  result  is,  I  think,  tolerably  clear.  From  biological  truths 
it  is  to  be  inferred  that  the  eventual  mixture  of  the  allied  varieties  of  the  Aryan  race 
forming  the  population,  will  produce  a  more  powerful  type  of  man  than  has  hitherto 
existed,  and  a  type  of  man  more  plastic,  more  adaptable,  more  capable  of  undergoing 
the  modifications  needful  for  complete  social  life.  I  think  that  whatever  difficulties 
they  may  have  to  surmount,  and  whatever  tribulations  they  may  have  to  pass  through, 
the  Americans  may  reasonably  look  forward  to  a  time  when  they  will  have  pro- 
duced a  civilization  grander  than  any  the  world  has  known."  Could  this  be  so, 
were  educated  citizens  largely  in  the  majority,  equally  fitted  to  contend  at  the  polls 
for  a  number  of  places  necessarily  limited  in  proportion  to  those  who  would  seek 
them  ?  Would  the  intense  national  individuality,  when  more  widely  educated 
then  readily  aggregate  —  as  is  correctly  stated  —  by  thousands,  and  delegate  their 
power  to  any  single  man  ?  Would  not  the  competition  of  increased  intelligence  for 
office,  govern  success  more  by  fitness,  and  cause  a  net  to  be  drawn,  with  closer 
meshes  over  our  political  sea?  On  the  solution  of  such  questions  the  permanancy  of 
actual  government  of  the  people,  by  the  people  hinges. 


24.4  Tories  or  Loyalists 


APPENDIX  C. 

INEVITABLE  EFFECTS  OF  A  RAPID  PROGRESS  ON  THE  POSITION 
OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  EARLIER  SETTLERS  (page  225). 


These  institutions,  involving  and  receiving  great  attention,  and  usually  conducted 
with  marked  integrity  and  system,  naturally  include  in  their  management,  material  as 
broad  as  their  object.  In  many  of  them,  may  be  prominently  found  the  descendants 
of  the  original  Dutch  and  English  settlers,  now  rarely  met  with  in  the  record  of  public 
trusts.  Their  influence  and  control,  has  mainly  become  gradually  limited  to  these, 
and  to  their  social  and  business  connections,  in  private  life.  Any  distinct  influence, 
as  a  recognized  or  cohesive  element,  of^en  found  in  communities,  has  been  lost  in  the 
mighty  wave  of  emigration  and  its  increase,  which  where  aggregated  controls  the  selec- 
tion of  most  of  its  representatives.  This  is  more  evident  at  points  near  to  the  place 
of  its  arrival,  and  it  is  necessarily  free  from  the  influence  of  such  earlier  tradition, 
and  sentiment,  as  it  may  in  time  create  in  its  own  successors.  Investigation  de- 
velopes  such  changes  of  authority  in  all  history,  as  continuous  as  the  rolling  waves 
sometimes  reaching  the  beach,  at  others  breaking  too  early,  from  their  acquired 
force.  Under  other  institutions  they  are  more  frequently  the  result  of  conquest  than 
of  a  friendly  acceptance  with  unlimited  legal  hospitality,  as  an  element  of  control. 
When  Charles  II  —  claiming  under  the  exploration  of  the  Cabots,  in  their  second 
voyage  in  1497,  from  their  touching  the  mainland  —  presented  a  Dutch  colony 
which  he  had  never  possessed,  to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York,  and  it  was  conquered 
by  his  agent,  Colonel  Nicolls  in  August,  1664,  the  inhabitants  were  not  only  pro- 
tected in  all  their  rights,  by  that  humane  commander,  but  retained  many  local 
positions  of  authority,  after  the  invasion.  Its  capture,  caused  a  war  between  England 
and  the  Dutch  Provinces,  through  which  a  William  the  Stadtholder  of  Holland, 
gradually  developed  as  future  King  of  England,  and  the  loss  of  a  colony  by  the  Dutch 
was  then  compensated  by  the  gaining  of  a  crown  by  a  Dutchman.  That  war  was  at 
its  origin  considered  an  ungrateful  return  for  the  kindness  which  both  of  those 
Princes  had  experienced  when  in  exile,  from  the  authorities  of  the  Netherlands, 
unawed  by  Cromwell's  displeasure.  Colonel  Nicolls,  apparently  infinitely  superior  to 
his  master,  was  killed  in  a  sea  fight  in  that  war  in  1672,  on  the  Duke  of  York's 
ship,  while  still  remembered  with  affection  here  by  those  whom  he  had  subdued.  His 
munificent  patron  had  rewarded  him  with  a  gift  of  £200  !  on  surrendering  his 
difficult  and  well  administered  Governorship.  Before  that  conquest,  England's  «arly 
colonies  about  Nieu  Amsterdam  — some  of  them  under  its  sufferance  —  had  been  a 
source  of  apprehension  to  its  burghers.  Their  original  institutions  seemed  to  have 
been  compassed  by  the  example  of  their  original  home,  and  not  to  have  been  adapted 


in  the  Revolution.  24.5 

to  the  early  extension  of  that  toleration  in  their  new  one,  to  those  who  had  fled  to 
America  to  secure  the  liberty  of  conscience,  the  struggle  for  which  had  long 
desolated  the  Low  Countries  in  Europe.  All  then  visiting  Nieu  Amsterdam,  the 
Dutch  Records  inform  us,  became  subject  to  this  rule  "beside  the  Reformed 
Religions,  no  conventicles  shall  be  holden  in  houses,  barns,  ships,  woods  or 
fields,  under  penalty  of  50  guilders  for  each  person,  man,  woman  or  child 
attending,  for  the  first  offence,  double  for  the  second,  quadruple  for  the  third, 
and,  arbitrary  correction  for  every  other."  This  early  exclusiveness  was  perhaps  an 
omen  of  their  own  later  exclusion  to  a  great  extent  from  the  control  of  the  public 
affairs  of  that  ancient  settlement  once  the  seat  of  an  almost  universal  prosperity  and 
a  type  of  practical  "Home  Rule"  in  the  frugal  and  primitive  administration  of  its 
public  affairs.  Of  the  six  hundred  grants  for  Manors  and  Estates,  once  held  by  them, 
a  small  portion  remains  in  the  possession  of  their  descendants,  if  unoccupied,  a  heavy 
burthen,  by  the  extravagant  and  often  useless  and  premature  assessments  and  onerous 
taxes  constantly  imposed  upon  it,  in  the  employment  of  the  labor  of  those  detained 
by  the  small  proportion  of  the  outlay  it  receives,  from  an  infinitely  larger  and  more 
lasting  reward,  in  the  wide  and  bountiful  field  for  its  occupation  in  the  less  crowded 
Western  territory. 

Perhaps  in  time,  some  humane  system  may  be  discovered,  to  advise  new  comers 
of  the  inevitable  law  of  supply  and  demand  which  controls  the  location  of  their  probable 
success,  and  that  it  is  governed  by  the  area  open  for  largely  agricultural  employment. 
The  "  Commissioners  of  Emigration  "  have  reported  a  pleasant  fact  for  the  Western 
States:  That  two- thirds  of  the  emigration,  including  the  most  provident,  join  them 
directly,  led  by  that  intelligence  which  perhaps  had  caused  such  former  success,  while 
one-third  lingers  on  the  sea-board,  to  compete  for  employment  in  crowded  and  ex- 
pensive cities,  causing  the  over  competition  often  complained  of,  and  in  business  re- 
vulsions accumulated  distress. 


APPENDIX  D. 


MRS.  GRUNDY'S  OBSERVATIONS  AS  TO  UTOPIA  (page  234). 


In  her  recent  "Observations  in  Utopia,"  Mrs.  Grundy,  as  active  as  extended 
in  her  travels  and  researches,  points  out  many  defects  in  the  administration  of 
that  model  Republic  as  instructive  to  our  own.  She  tells  us  how  "  Colonel 
Trusty,  a  watchful  consul  in  Switzerland  reported  —  and  perhaps  violated  the 
rules  of  the  department,  in  also  disclosing,  what  every  intelligent  citizen  hai 


24-6  Tories  or  Loyalists 

long  known  to  ipply  to  many  nationalities  and  cities  of  Europe  —  that  some  of  the 
Cantons  of  Switzerland  were  shipping  their  convicts  to  Utopia,  and  suggested  that 
»n  inspection  for  such  contraband  of  peace,  be  made  at  the  time  of  departure,  to 
which  no  respectable  passenger  could  apparently  object.  When  some  compatriot! 
evidently  without  appreciation  that  every  country  has  proved  able  to  produce  more 
criminals  than  its  prosperity  requires,  remonstrated,  a  junior  official  replied,  that  the 
consul  had  been  reprimanded,  and  were  he  not  a  meritorious  veteran  would  be  re- 
moved.  Would  it  not  be  fair,  in  the  absence  of  any  evidence  of  the  pressure  of  th'u 
intelligence  upon  the  earliest  Congress  for  action,  to  infer  that  the  country  did  deiire 
an  accession  of  such  criminals  to  the  honest  portion  of  its  citizenship,  and  their  closer 
proximity  to  their  homes  and  families.  Could  this  vital  suggestion  have  been  over- 
looked, especially  by  that  successor  who  had  first  excelled  even,  the  founder  of  this 
Republic  in  a  temperate  and  frugal  denial  in  the  viands  of  the  executive  table,  and  had 
displayed  his  unparalled  clemency  in  restoring  to  rank  so  many  dispensed  with  for  its 
neglect  by  the  judgment  of  their  fellow  officers  —  always  a  painful  duty. 

With  a  vast  area  of  territory  yet  to  be  occupied,  the  quality  as  well  as  the  extent 
of  new  accessions  would  seem  to  interest  every  citizen.  The  outrages  daily  recorded, 
rarely  prove  when  investigated  to  be  the  acts  of  settled  residents  but  generally  of  those 
of  a  floating  and  fungus  growth  who  prefer  to  eat  the  grapes  rather  than  to  labor  in 
the  vineyard.  Robbery,  generally  attended  by  the  use  of  arms  and  often  by  the 
shedding  of  blood,  does  not  seem  to  be  deterred  by  the  fear  of  a  short  and  relatively 
comfortable  confinement,  with  the  hope  of  escape  or  pardon,  by  the  influence  of  those 
perhaps  more  ready  to  overlook  the  wrongs  of  others,  than  they  would  be  their  own. 
The  shooting  of  two  policemen,  at  early  evening,  in  a  frequented  village,  while 
attempting  to  arrest  three  successful  burglars,  loaded  with  plunder  secured  in  a 
neighboring  towii,  within  the  writer's  hearing,  recalls  the  value  of  the  Consul's 
suggestion,  and  the  possibility  of  these  very  criminals,  being  of  those  he  attempted 
to  exclude  ;  an  apparently  less  effective  inspection  at  landing  has  since  been  legalized." 

"  Can  the  thought  be  entertained,  that  with  our  Washington  at  the  head  of 
government,  and  substantially  the  "  Father  of  his  Country  "  he  would  if  adviied 
of  it  have  neglected  this  warning,  as  to  what  would  appear  to  affect  the  healthy 
development  of  any  country." 

"It  would  be  interesting,  if  it  were  possible,"  she  adds,  "  to  hear  the  criticism  of  some 
modern  legislation  here,  and  the  tracing  of  its  results,  by  one  of  our  own  time  honored 
statesmen — Benjamin  Franklin  for  example — accustomed  to  be  driven  from  place  to 
place  of  meeting,  legislating  with  a  halter  in  plain  view  in  case  of  failure^  and  sur- 
rounded by  the  hardships  of  war,  and  the  need  of  means  for  its  progress,  yet  with  the 
whole  country's  best  interests  always  steadily  in  view.  It  might  provoke  even  him  to 
mirth,  to  foreshadow  that  refinement  of  push  pole  navigation,  coming  as  one  of  the 
results  of  a  progress  based  on  those  sacrifices,  when  a  "  constituency  "  here  would 
demand,  in  the  face  of  the  President's  veto,  an  appropriation  to  render  a  stream  naviga- 
ble, which,  on  a  careful  inspection  proved  capable  of  being  carried,  in  the  dry  seaion, 
in  a  box  drain  a  foot  square.  It  would,  have  pleased  him  as  a  broad  philanthropist, 
to  know,  that  in  a  recent  bill,  a  provision  requiring  such  inspection  hereafter,  was  a 
desirable  feature,  and  probably  still  more  so  to  learn  that  the  value  of  the  method 
resorted  to  in  the  State  of  New  York,  of  vetoing  sections  in  a  bill,  and  so  preserving 
the  interests  of  proper  subjects  of  legislation  had  suggested  itself  also  to  this  Utopian 
Congress. " 

"  Could  so  wise  a  patriot  as  Franklin,  with  such  intelligence  as  he  had  necessarily 
acquired  as  to  the  material  of  war,  have  been  expected  to  vote  for  example,  for  the 


in  the  Revolution.  247 

Utopian  Pension  Act,  or  other  even  humane  legislation,  not  limited  by  provisions 
for  the  strictest  personal,  examination  of  the  claimant,  by  a  responsible  officer,  supplied 
with  ample  evidence  of  identity  and  service,  with  power  to  test  the  common 
assertion  that  conjectured  widows,  have  claimed  in  the  names  of  soldiers,  they 
have  never  seen,  long  lying  in  honored  graves,  and  that  constructive  veterans 
possibly  disabled  by  a  bunion,  acquired  in  too  hastily  retiring  from  active  service,  after 
the  receipt  of  a  bounty,  are  now  in  a  large  number  of  cases  subsisting  on  an  equal 
allowance  with  actual  veterans." 

"  In  our  own  country  Adjutant  General  Stryker,  of  New  Jersey,  a  zealous  officer, 
who  presents  his  resignation  to  each  incoming  Governor,  and  is  never  permitted  to  sur- 
render a  small  salary  for  a  large  service,  has,  with  much  labor  from  scant  State  archives 
by  exhaustive  search,  with  little  assistance,  and  small  expense,  condensed  a  roster  of  the 
Revolutionary  service  of  every  contribution  from  that  fighting  little  State,  from  a 
major  general  to  a  wagoner.  He  has  supplemented  it,  with  a  similar  record  of  service 
in  the  last  war,  and  in  its  inspection  the  long  lists  of  "  deserted,"  probably  mainly  of 
those  who  never  intended  to  serve  —  mingled  with  longer  ones  of  gallant  veterans, 
many  of  whom  fell  in  battle  —  is  a  source  of  surprise  to  the  reader.  I  have  suggested 
the  preparation  and  use  of  such  works  here.  Probably  these  desertions  are  not  in 
excess  of  those  of  other  states,  in  proportion  to  their  population,  but  they  would 
be  a  large  numeral  addition  to  the  Subsistence  Roll  of  an  army.  Such  records  for 
all  the  States  would  seem  to  be  invaluable  to  a  conscientious  Pension  Agent,  or  a 
vigilant  investigator  of  fraudulent  bounties  or  claims.  They  would  be  read  with 
attention  in  Utopia." 

"  The  action  of  the  Viking  of  Bashwash,  when  in  charge  of  the  Naval  Affairs 
of  Utopia,  in  restoring  to  the  school  under  control  of  his  Department,  a  number 
of  cadets  who  had  resigned  to  avoid  an  investigation,  under  charges  unfitting 
them  if  proved,  for  service  as  officers,  was  greatly  disapproved  by  those  who 
wished  to  continue  to  be  proud  of  their  Navy,  and  that  of  the  honored  Com- 
mander who  in  strongly  protesting,  lost  the  favor  of  his  chief  and  even  his  official 
courtesies,  as  highly  praised."  She  further  says,  "  the  latest  amendment  to  the 
Constitution  of  Utopia,  which  was  not  passed  without  opposition,  seems  worthy  of 
attention.  It  provides,  that  every  citizen  in  demanding  or  collecting  interest,  rent 
or  any  other  source  of  revenue,  shall  be  hereafter  required  to  exhibit  to  the  person 
of  whom  payment  is  asked,  at  the  time  of  such  demand,  a  certificate  to  the  fact  that 
the  creditor  had  voted  at  the  last  election,  to  be  duly  certified  by  the  clerk  of  the 
Poll,  or  official  evidence  of  a  reasonable  excuse,  and  all  debtors,  are  forbidden  to 
pay  without  such  exhibition.  It  has  already  greatly  increased  the  vote  of  that 
reserved  class,  who  have  heretofore  neglected  the  control  of  their  most  valuable  in- 
vestment, by  which  all  others  are  protected  and  guaranteed,  while  attentive  to  the 
election  of  corporate  Directors." 

*'  Civil  Service  Reform,"  is  growing  in  favor  with  many,  from  the  liberal  con- 
struction of  the  law.  Examinations  for  appointments  are  influenced  as  to  their  extent 
by  the  circumstances.  Where  strong  testimonials  are  presented,  they  are  held  to 
make  a  searching  series  of  questions  as  to  capacity,  unnecessary,  but  in  their  absence 
greater  care  is  considered  necessary. 

The  intention  of  the  law  is  construed  to  be  to  enable  the  government  to  avail 
itself  of  the  services  of  those  whose  armor  has  been  hacked  and  broken  in  the 
defence  of  the  interests  of  the  party  entrusted  with  the  management  of  public  affairs^ 
and  to  dispense  with  the  services  of  good  men  too  engrossed  in  their  duties  to  give 
sufficient  attention  to  the  interests  of  the  power  which  protects  them. 

32 


24-8  Tories  or  Loyalists 

Their  influence,  as  examples  of  good  citizenship  is  considered  more  useful,  when 
scattered  unhampered  by  office  amongst  the  body  of  the  people." 

"  It  is  rumored  that  an  effort  will  be  made  at  the  next  session  of  the  Utopian 
Congress,  to  rescind  its  novel  rule  requiring  the  insertion  of  pellets  of  cotton  in  the 
ears  of  a  member  addressing  the  chair,  after  ten  minutes  speaking,  with  a  view  to 
confining  the  length  of  his  remarks  to  the  suggestions  of  the  mind,  and  not  to  allow 
them  to  be  led  on  by  the  pleasant  music  of  the  voice,  after  the  material  suggestions 
have  been  made.  Its  intention  was  to  economize  valuable  time,  where  all  speeches 
may  be  elaborated  and  printed." 

"The  descendants  of  the  Liberators  of  Utopia  are  rarely  found  in  official  position. 
They  comfort  themselves  by  feeling  that  like  Alcibiades  they  may  be  'esteemed  too 
just.' 

Great  attention  is  given  by  the  farmers  here  to  the  breeding  of  blooded  stock,  and 
fabulous  prices  are  paid  for  animals  of  approved  pedigree." 

"  This  letter  from  a  candidate  for  the  Utopian  Congress  to  the  committee  who 
had  the  power  to  nominate  him  ;  and  to  their  credit  did  so,  has  been  much  dis- 
cussed, its  candor  questioned,  and  its  contents  pronounced  as  "toffy,"  but  it  has  been 
doubted,  largely  by  those  who  had  spoiled  their  digestion  by  its  excessive  use.  Others 
consider  that  it  is  a  good  old  fashioned  doctrine." 

"Still,  that  there  may  be  no  possibility  of  mistake,  and  in  simple  fairness  to  the 
gentlemen  who  have  the  matter  in  control,  I  take  this  public  way  of  saying  with  as 
much  emphasis  as  may  be,  that  from  careful  observation  and  a  somewhat  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  inner  workings  of  both  the  great  political  parties,  I  am  con- 
vinced that  the  one  greatest  curse  of  our  political  system  is  the  corrupt  use  of  money 
and  patronage  in  elections.  Were  I  nominated,  I  should  not  directly  or  indirectly, 
pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  one  dollar  J:o  secure  an  election.  Further  than  this,  I  may 
say  that,  believing  the  work  of  office  seeking,  place  brokerage,  and  position  peddling 
to  be  no  part  of  the  duty  of  a  member  of  Congress,  I  should,  if  elected,  refuse  posi- 
tively to  take  any  part  in  the  general  scramble  for  places  in  the  departments,  an 
occupation  which  can  only  be  engaged  in  by  neglecting  legitimate  and  necessary 
work  in  the  house  at  the  sacrifice  of  self-respect,  and  to  the  serious  detriment  and 
disgrace  of  the  public  service.  In  short,  I  could  only  accept  the  nomination  with 
the  distinct  understanding  that,  in  addition  to  earnestly  and  sincerely  subscribing  to 
all  the  time-honored  principles  of  my  party,  I  should  enter  the  canvass  upon  the 
clean  new  platform  of  honest,  progressive,  and  independent  Republicans.  If  there 
be  any  gentleman  who  would  vote  for  my  nomination  on  other  terms,  I  beg  him  to 
refrain  from  doing  so.  His  action  could  only  result  in  disappointment."  He  was 
defeated. 

It  may  occur  to  some  weary  reader,  why  some  of  these  notes,  apparently  discon- 
nected from  the  subject,  are  worked  in  to  his  annoyance.  Simply  because  it  appears 
that  the  use  made  by  any  nationality,  of  discussion  of  the  action  of  either  or  all  of 
its  former  rulers,  is  the  strongest  censure  that  can  be  inflicted  by  their  posterity 
on  those  who  opposed  its  creation,  and  questioned  its  future  integrity,  where  so  many 
were  to  be  trusted  with  its  control. 

Mr.  Henry  George,  who  has  lately  bearded  the  British  Lion  in  his  den,  and  con- 
tended with  the  Dragon  which  prevented  the  universal  prosperity  and  happiness  of  the 
human  race,  as  fearlessly  as  did  his  namesake,  the  patron  saint  of  the  now  oppressors, 
has  on  his  return  hastily  plucked  a  handful  of  feathers,  principally  exotic,  from  the 
terminal  portion  of  the  Utopian  "Bird  of  Freedom."  He  alludes  truthfully,  to  the  ex- 
travagance and  uncleanliness  of  "  Outre  Mer,"  its  great  maritime  and  again  largely 


in  the  Revolution.  249 

colonial  city,  and  yet  displays  an  apparent  want  of  appreciation  of  the  causes  requisite 
to  the  value  of  his  undertaking.      He  says  no  one: 

"  Can  go  to  Europe  and  study  the  system  of  government  there  without 
feeling  a  very  great  contempt  for  it  —  without  feeling  that  he  would  like  to  go 
as  a  missionary  among  those  people,  to  tell  them  to  stand  up,  to  teach  them  the 
virtues  and  the  beauties  and  the  philosophy  of  democracy.  (Applause.)  One 
thing,  however,  would  deter  him.  A  man  would  feel  like  that,  if  he  knew  nothing 
of  the  condition  of  this  country.  He  would  be  met  with  the  suggestion,  however, 
that  he  look  to  his  own  country  —  to  cities  like  this  great  metropolis  of  yours 
ruled  and  robbed  by  a  class  of  miserable  politicians." 

After  stating  that  if  Utopia  had  been  "  true  of  Democratic  principles  "  there  would, 
not  now,  in  his  opinion  "  be  a  crowned  head  in  Europe,"  he  honestly  points  out  as 
causes  of  the  delay. 

"  But  what  shall  we  say  when  over  here,  where  every  man  is  equal  before  the 
law,  where  every  citizen  has  a  right  to  vote,  where  all  power  is  in  the  hands  of  the 
people,  the  masses  of  the  workers  are  but  little,  if  any,  better  off  than  on  the  other 
side  ?  What  is  the  use  of  democratic  institutions  to  men  who  cannot  get  a  living 
without  cringing  and  buying  and  selling  their  manhood.  (Applause.)  Can  we 
prate  and  boast  of  our  institutions  when  we  read  of  people  dying  of  starvation  ?  when 
we  have  alms-houses  in  every  city?" 

He  proposes  to  exempt  improved  property  from  future  taxation,  but  to  remove  the 
field  for  the  harvest  of  the  enormous  amount  of  its  expenses  to  the  unoccupied 
portions  of  the  island,  and  annexed  adjacent  territory.  Speaking  of  a  friend  who 
desired  to  invest  in  improvements,  he  says  : 

"If  he  went  to  the  upper  oortion  of  this  island,  as  he  probably  would  go,  he 
would  find  there  plenty  of  vacant  land  that  is  now  of  no  use  to  anybody  save  as  the 
receptacle  of  rubbish  and  a  browsing  place  for  goats  of  that  species  popularly  sup- 
posed to  live  on  old  boots  and  glass  bottles.  Very  naturally  he  would  say,  no  one 
is  using  this  land.  It  is,  in  fact,  in  its  present  condition  an  eyesore  and  a  nuisance. 
Let  me  come  on  it  and  I  will  erect  a  fine  house,  which  will  be  an  ornament  to  the 
neighborhood  and  an  inducement  to  other  people  to  erect  good  houses  in  the  vicinity. 
Or  I  will  build  a  factory  in  which  I  will  employ  a  great  number  of  hands,  and  turn 
out  every  year  a  large  amount  of  goods  that  everybody  desires.  Should  we  not  say 
to  him  :  — 'Go  ahead  and  welcome!  Fine  houses  are  better  than  rubbish-filled 
lots,  and  we  would  rather  have  factories  than  goat  pastures  ?'  But  we  say  nothing  of 
the  kind." 

"  On  the  contrary,  Mr.  Saunders  would  be  confronted  by  some  one  by  legal  right 
of  a  title  derived  from  some  of  the  old  Dutchmen  who  first  settled  this  island  and 
who  have  been  dead  and  gone  long  years  ago,  who  would  say  to  him,  '  Before  you 
can  build  your  houses  or  erect  your  factory  you  must  pay  me  such  and  such  a  sum.* 
Finding  that  he  could  not  in  any  ether  way  get  a  place  upon  which  to  make  the 
improvement  he  contemplated,  Mr.  Saunders  would  probably  consent  to  pay  a  price 
which,  in  its  nature,  would  be  nothing  more  nor  less  than  a  species  of  blackmail 
levied  upon  a  man  who  wished  to  improve  natural  opportunities  for  the  benefit  of 
some  dog-in-the-manger  who  could  not  and  would  not  use  them  for  himself.  His 
capital  being  thus  further  diminished  he  would  proceed  to  build  his  house  and  erect 
his  factory.  What  then  ?  As  soon  as  he  got  them  up,  along  would  come  a  tax 
gatherer  and  would  say  to  him,  you  have  built  a  house,  you  have  erected  a  factory, 
and  for  doing  these  things  the  laws  of  this  country  fine  you  to  such  and  such  an 
amount,  and  unless  you  pay  the  fine  and  keep  on  paying  the  fine,  we  will  take  from 
you  the  property  which  is  the  result  of  your  exertions.'  And  not  satisfied  with  that, 


250  Tories  or  Loyalists 

if  Mr.  Saunders'  skill  and  prudence  and  energy  enabled  him,  after  all  this,  to  make 
money,  and  his  providence  enabled  him  to  lay  it  up,  the  taxgatherer  would  hunt  him 
up  in  all  sorts  of  ways  and  demand  new  fines  and  fresh  penalties. 

"  Now,  what  I  contend  is,  that  it  is  stupid  in  us  to  thus  hamper  and  vex  and  fine 
the  men  who  enrich  our  city  and  our  country,  and  that  when  we  want  money  for 
common  uses  it  would  be  much  wiser  for  us  to  go  for  them  to  a  man  who  is  merely 
holding  land  in  order  to  compel  those  who  would  improve  it  to  pay  him  a  high  price. 

"  Whether  I  am  a  fool  or  a  philosopher,  a  philanthropist  or  an  incendiary,  there 
is  one  thing  I  am  firmly  convinced  of — that  houses  and  factories  and  steamships 
and  railroads,  and  dry  goods  and  groceries  are  good  things  for  any  community  to  have 
and  that  that  is  the  richest  community  that  has  most  of  them. 

"Now,  the  more  you  tax  those  things  the  less  of  them  you  will  have  j  but  tax 
the  value  of  land  as  much  as  you  please  and  you  will  have  none  the  less  land,  and  it 
will  be  none  the  less  useful.  Tax  land  up  to  its  full  value  and  what  would  happen 
Why  simply,  that  those  who  are  holding  land  of  which  they  make  no  use,  would  be 
compelled  to  give  it  up,  and  that  those  who  wanted  to  make  use  of  it  could  go  and  take 
it  and  improve  it  and  use  it  without  paying  to  the  non-user  anything  for  the  privilege. 

"  Consider,  gentlemen,  how  this  city  would  grow,  how  enormously  wealth  would 
increase,  if  all  taxes  were  abolished  which  now  bear  on  the  production  and  accumu- 
lation and  exchange  of  wealth.  Consider  how  quickly  the  vacant  spaces  on  this 
island  would  fill  up  could  land  not  improved,  be  had  by  them  who  wanted  to  improve 
it,  without  the  payment  of  the  prices  now  demanded.  Then  extend  your  view  to 
the  whole  country  and  see  how  the  same  policy  would  everywhere  enormously  in- 
crease wealth." 

In  this  frank  exposition  of  his  theories  of  home  reform,  their  suggestor  overlook  8 
some  points  important  to  their  value.  His  "  old  Dutchman  "  for  example,  is  typical 
for  the  descendant  of  the  first  white  settler  from  Holland  on  the  island  of  "  Outre 
Mer  "  and  as  such  has  at  least  the  same  rights  as  though  he  had  been  descended 
from  the  early  natives  of  any  Isle  however  fair  and  green,  has  long  since  ceased  to 
own  any  considerable  part  of  it.  The  territory  is  already  largely  covered  besides  his 
"  old  boots  and  glass  bottles  "  with  the  shanties  of  what  is  known  as  a  squatter 
colonization  who  usually  pay  no  rent  and  often  reluctantly  yield  to  dispossession 
before  the  progress  of  a  more  permanent  improvement. 

On  the  other  hand  the  poor  old  Dutchman  has  submitted  for  years  to  the  exactions 
of  repeated  assessments,  valuable  to  the  contractor  and  the  politician,  as  a  means  o 
subsistence  to  a  constituency,  in  which  the  owner  as  a  unit  is  disregarded  where  the 
greatest  good  is  sought  for  the  greatest  number.  Moreover  he  overlooks  what  the 
records  will  show,  that  a  large  portion  of  this  property  has  already  been  sold  for  taxes, 
and  assessments  too  onerous  to  be  paid  on  wholly  unproductive  property,  and  that  his 
additional  taxes  would  be  only  a  further  lien  on  what  is  already  forfeited  or  mainly 
for  sale  at  far  less  than  its  accumulated  cost.  That  to  raise  the  enormous  expenses  of 
the  city,  unprecedented  in  the  world  for  its  area,  would  be  like  the  nourishment 
of  the  Pelican  which  is  said  to  feed  on  its  own  blood,  or  gleaning  a  field  after  it  had 
been  both  harvested  and  pastured  upon.  The  tax  bills  alone  would  soon  cover 
its  area  as  with  a  blanket. 

His  friend  should  realize  before  any  location,  what  those  longer  familiar  with  the 
subject  have  learned  ;  to  count  in  the  cost  the  yearly  reminder  of  this  past  civic  ex- 
travagance, and  its  present  increase  in  his  estimate  of  its  use,  or  else  to  put  on  green 
goggles,  and  affect  to  be  nourished  by  that  dish  of  shavings,  however  annually  cooked 
and  set  before  him.  In  many  cases  he  can  "  for  further  information  apply  on  the 
premises  "  for  corroboration  of  these  suggestions. 


in  the  Revolution.  251 

He  also  neglects  to  tell,  where,  when  all  of  this  territory  is  improved  by  the  result 
of  industiy,  the  next  field  for  the  imposition  of  new  taxes  which  with  death  alone 
are  ceitain,  is  to  be  found.  Would  not  knowledge  of  such  material  points  in  ths 
political  economy  of  h>3  own  country,  give  value  '.o  suggestions  as  to  the  internal 
difficul  ies  of  any  other.  In  seeking  for  any  undiscovered  field  for  additional  taxa- 
tion, on  the  island  of  "Outre  Mer,"  he  might  aid  the  assessors,  and  also  answer  Mr. 
Pitt's  pungent  query,  "Gentle  Shepherd,  tell  me  where  ?  " 


APPENDIX  E. 

REPUTATION    AT    THE    CANNON'S    MOUTH    AND  THE  CHANCES 
IN  ITS  TRANSMISSION  (note,  page  160). 


Dr.  Timothy  Dwight,  as  the  nephew  of  General  Lyman,  who  with  his  father 
was  an  early  settler  of  the  Territory  of  the  Natchez,  at  least  showed  a  natural  senti- 
ment in  vindicating  the  claim  of  his  uncle  as  a  worthy  subordinate,  to  the  merit  he 
considered  his  due.  Errors  have  always  been  claimed  to  exist  in  the  distribution  of 
credit  for  service.  Time  long  since  accorded  the  glory  of  two  important  victories  to  Sir 
William  Johnson — one  at  Lake  George  in  the  summer  of  1755,  wnen  Baron 
Dieskau,  a  veteran  of  the  Continental  Wars  was  defeated,  another  the  capture  of 
Niagara,  four  yeais  later.  The  whole  life  of  that  self-educated  soldier,  had  in  all 
its  details  been  sustained  by  his  gallantry,  and  he  early  carried  his  son  to  the  field  to 
teach  him  the  art  of  war.  Possibly  he  may  have  been  remiss  as  Dr.  Dwight  has 
claimed,  in  distributing  some  of  his  laurels  to  his  officers,  or  the  New  England  troops 
disposed,  in  the  existing  jealousy,  to  claim  too  many  of  them.  The  moment  of 
victory  has  proved  best  adapted  to  settle  relative  merit,  while  all  present  are  familiar 
with  facts  from  observation.  That  passed,  it  has  often  proved  as  difficult  where  the 
credit  of  victory  naturally  falls  to  the  Commander — as  to  ascertain  now  who  aided 
to  win  the  laurels  of  Caesar,  Hannibal  or  Philip,  if  without  record  in  history. 

In  cases  of  disaster,  the  blame  at  once  falls  upon  the  leader,  regardless  of  who  stumbled, 
and  no  one  competes  for  a  share.  His  son  and  successor  probably  fought  as  bravely 
in  his  detested  invasions,  and  yet  wears  in  some  history  the  willow  decreed  to  failure. 
Many  of  the  friends  of  General  de  Peyster,  will  be  gratified  in  his  probable  success  in 
vindicating  the  honor  and  courage  of  his  relative. 

Mrs.  Grundy  in  her  "  Observations  in  Utopia "  refers  to  a  notable  case  of 
another  military  muddle  in  its  history,  she  says  : 

"  There  was  some  difference  of  opinion  here,  some  time  since,  as  to  the  advantage 
of  the  correction  of  accepted  historical  error,  too  late  for  practical  use.  In  its  course, 
a  case  was  cited  as  occurring  in  the  former  wars  of  Utopia.  It  was  occasioned  by  the 
carelessness  or  paramount  personal  engagements  of  a  civilian  acting  as  Secretary  to 
a  former  honored  Commander-in-Chief,  Marshal  Dauntless,  an  approved  soldier." 


252  Tories  or  Loyalists 

"  That  gallant  officer,  had  intended  to  lead  the  attack  in  person,  at  the  great 
battle  of  "  Ouvrir  la  Porte,"  and  to  head  his  forces,  as  he  had  often  done.  He  had 
prepared  the  plan  of  the  engagement  before  it  occurred,  showing  his  special  command 
in  the  advance.  The  burning  of  a  bridge  in  front  of  his  position,  preventing  his 
reaching  that  post  in  season,  caused  him  to  alter  his  plan  on  the  day  before  the 
attack  and  to  order  General  Fearless,  his  second  in  command  to  advance  with  his 
light  division,  giving  him  an  opportunity  substantially  to  flank  the  fortifications, 
necessarily  passing  under  a  heavy  fire  and  to  attack  the  enemy  supporting  them  in 
great  force,  if  he  found  it  practicable,  before  he  —  with  every  possible  exertion  — 
could  come  to  his  relief  with  the  needed  support  of  heavier  artillery,  and  equalize 
the  struggle,  and  shell  out  the  batteries.  The  division  commander  with  a  very 
inadequate  force,  and  mainly  with  a  small  section  of  it,  only  succeeded  by  a  desperate 
coup  de  main  in  passing  the  works,  meeting  at  and  above  them,  the  entire  force  of 
the  enemy  and  mainly  fighting  the  battle  with  the  single  division  in  the  advance, 
before  his  commander  could  possibly  reach  the  enemy  and  gallantly  complete  the 
victory,  Gen.  Fearless  reaching  the  important  post  above  them  in  advance  of  all 
support,  anH  when  the  Marshal  came  up,  landed,  and  received  its  surrender." 

"  After  that  great  triumph,  the  commander  of  the  entire  force,  to  whom  the  honor 
of  both  its  conception  and  achievement  would  naturally  be  given,  sent  his  division 
commander — whom  he  loved,  with  the  intelligence,  to  the  seat  of  government,  in- 
tending that  he  should  receive  his  reward  in  thanks  and  promotion  for  the  glory  he 
had  so  materially  aided  in  securing  eventually  for  himself,  as  Napoleon  alone  concen- 
trated in  due  season  the  glory  of  the  Egyptian  campaign,  and  Nelson  that  of  the  Nile." 

"  But  alas  !  the  Citizen  Secretary  had  affixed  to  the  report,  which  was  not  parti- 
cular in  detail,  the  old  diagram  of  the  proposed' battle  instead  of  that  of  the  one  that 
•was  actually  fought  which  had  been  duly  prepared,  so  falsifying  his  explanations.  The 
division  commander's  statements  were  discredited  by  the  papers  he  carried  ;  history 
of  this  notable  feat  of  arms  was  written  and  illustrations  executed  at  once,  based  on 
the  erroneous  account,  in  most  of  which  the  real  leader  was  not  referred  to  or  included, 
as  all  present  knew  to  be  due.  All  this  mortification  fell  upon  the  gallant  division 
commander,  in  place  of  the  merit  his  remarkable  achievement  claimed,  and  although 
the  Commander-in  Chief  made  ample  correction  of  the  records,  and  of  the  blunder 
of  his  subordinate,  some  years  after  when  convinced  of  his  error,  the  wound  the 
mistake  had  given  to  a  sensitive  and  modest  nature,  went  with  him  to  the  grave.  The 
Secretary  yet  survives,  but  some  of  the  people  here  think  he  was  a  little  more  careless 
as  to  the  record  of  another  than  he  could  have  been  of  his  own,  and  wonder  that 
when  he  read  the  accounts,  every  where  printed,  of  his  conjectured  position  in  the 
line  on  that  old  battle  day,  he  too  did  not  do  something  for  history,  by  correcting  bis 
contribution  to  its  many  errors."  To  avoid  such  delay,  and  to  correct  an  error  yet 
palpable  ;  it  is  proper  to  say  after  closer  research,  that  Sir  William  offered  the  suc- 
cession to  the  Superintendency  of  Indian  Affairs,  to  his  son  in  his  lifetime,  and  that 
he  asked  to  be  relieved  from  its  duties  (  page  187  ). 

It  is  claimed  that  Lieut.  Governor  Colden — whose  valuable  "History  of  the  Five 
Nations"  had  been  published  in  1727,  and  shows  his  knowledge  of  this  trust — urged 
its  acceptance  on  Sir  John.  His  power  to  confer  it,  was  through  the  absence  of 
Governor  Tryon,  as  Col.  Guy's  letter  predicted.  Another  clerical  error,  occurs  on 
page  207,  stating  that  Col.  Bouquet  was  born  at  and  not  in  Switzerland,  and  one 
on  page  210,  places  Colonel  Lee,  where  Colonel  William  Washington  actually  was, 
waiting  for  equipments  soon  effectually  used  at  Cowpens. 

As  to  the  Indian  schools  (page  202),  new  light  has  shown  that  this  wise  humanity 
is  due  more  to  personal  benevolence  than  to  the  liberality  of  the  Government. 


in  the  Revolution.  253 

It  has  been  sometimes  asked,  why  such  historical  papers  as  the  handful  used  in 
the  preceding  pamphlet,  are  not  in  the  public  archives.  The  answer  might  be 
made  that  few  things  are  in  their  proper  place  and  yet  many  are  useful. 

The  fact  came  to  the  writer  from  Mr.  Francis  A.  Stout,  a  Commissioner  of  the 
State  Survey,  that  by  the  defect  of  earlier  Cartography,  many  places  are  found  located 
even  miles,  away  from  their  actual  geometrical  position.  And  yet  generations  have 
lived  and  died  in  them,  and  there  is  probably  no  diminution  of  the  area  or  acreage, 
which  some  would  realize  more  than  this  defective  location. 

When  visiting  our  State  Capital  some  years  since — in  connection  with  his  project 
of  International  Exchange — M.  Alexandre  Vattemare,  found  men  in  one  of  its 
chambers  packing  in  boxes  the  recently  printed  "  Documentary  History,"  knee  deep 
in  old  manuscripts,  which  -were  history,  but  used  as  fillers. 

On  his  thoughtful  suggestion  to  the  Legislature,  that  these  were  not  being 
correctly  located,  action  was  taken  for  the  conservation  of  what  remained ;  and  the 
learned  Dr.  E.  B.  O'Callaghan — to,  whom  we  owe  so  much  of  our  State  History  and 
from  whom  the  writer  had  this  fact,  was  created  Curator,  and  laboriously  catalogued 
those  relics.  Even  afterwards — certainly  without  his  knowledge,  some  were  abstracted 
and  Mr.  John  Bigelow,  when  Secretary  of  State,  properly  sought  to  reclaim  them  ; 
even  by  circulars  addressed  to  private  collectors. 

Curious  papers  often  pass  through  many  hands,  as  a  merchantable  article,  and 
their  migrations  are  also  as  indefinite  as  those  of  a  circulating  bill.  Three  of  the 
grand  collections  of  Historical  manuscripts,  once  belonging  to  Rev.  Dr.  Sprague,  of 
Albany,  Mr.  Robert  Gilmor,  of  Baltimore,  and  Mr.  Tefft  of  Savanah,  have  been 
broken  up,  the  former,  after  it  had  been  offered  to  the  Government  and  State 
unsucessfully,  fell  into  the  already  large  collection,  of  a  private  gentleman  in  Phila- 
delphia, where  it  is  likely  to  be  preserved. 

During  the  Civil  War;  as  one  of  its  evils,  the  high  price  of  old  paper,  while  the 
cruisers  ruled  commerce  and  shut  out  other  material,  brought  out  from  many  garrets 
and  similar  receptacles,  a  store  of  historical  material  of  forgotten,  or  unknown  value, 
to  feed  the  paper  mills,  and  weave  material  fortthe  transmission  of  later  facts.  It  is 
believed  that  more  imprinted  history,  was  then  ground  up,  than  even  now  exist  in 
public  or  private  collections. 

It  is  stated  that  at  that  time,  many  old  papers  were  discovered  and  exhumed  from 
the  outbuildings  of  Johnson  Hall,  possibly  some  containing  the  key  to  this  research. 
Such  papers  are  rarely  sought  for  public  collections  when  exposed  at  public  or  private 
sale,  but  fall,  on  conditions  showing  at  least  consideration  for  the  value  of  the  lives  of 
others — into  the  private  collections  of  a  few  antiquarians,  sometimes  to  be  reduced 
to  print  for  private  circulation. 

Many  find  their  way  from  Europe,  especially  from  England.  Lately  the  military 
papers  of  Lord  Rawdon  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  including  beautifully  executed 
military  maps  made  by  the  Royal  Engineers  in  America  have  been  broken  up  and 
distributed  here. 

As  an  illustration  of  devotion  to  such  collection  and  its  accomplishments,  it  it  only 
just  to  say,  that  there  does  not  probably  exist  a  more  comprehensive  memorial  of  the 
men  of  mark  who  have  been  connected  with  American  History  since  the  settlements, 
than  that  formed  by  Dr.  Emmett — elsewhere  referred  to.  That  hidden  in  his  library 
and  known  only  to  few,  in  notably  fine  condition,  by  restoration  and  exhaustive 
illustration  with  portraits  and  views,  is  probably  the  most  valuable  and  intelligible 
monument  to  them,  erected  by  a  single  hand,  from  many  sources,  in  hours  devoted  to 
recreation  in  an  active  and  useful  life.  There  are  a  number  of  others,  very  complete 
and  interesting,  even  superior  to  it  in  some  details,  but  as  an  entirety  it  may  claim  to 
be  unequalled  in  condition,  and  it  is  the  result  of  years  of  research. 


254  Tories  or  Loyalists 

An  incident  which  has  occurred  before  this  Appendix  is  printed,  is  referred  to  as 
practically  sustaining  some  of  the  views  which  have  been  suggested.  How  supply 
and  demand  govern  value,  how  it  is  increased  when  a  thing  is  put  in  the  right 
place,  and  how  recognition  of  the  past  shows  solid  progress  in  the  present. 

The  venerable  Robert  C.  Winthrop,  has  done  a  good  work,  in  restoring  the 
portrait  of  one  by  whom  his  life  has  been  doubtless  influenced ;  additionally  so  as  the 
friendly  act  of  a  representative  of  early  patriotism  in  Massachusetts,  in  sympathizing 
with  those  of  South  Carolina.  The  old  City  Hall,  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
had  been  completely  restored  and  beautified,  the  interior  entirely  rebuilt  with  twelve 
spacious  rooms,  all  with  a  remarkable  economy  ($20,000),  creditable  to  the  city 
officials,  and  suggestive  to  those  of  other  cities. 

In  its  park,  a  life  sized  statue  of  Pitt,  Earl  of  Chatham,  erected  by  the  citizens 
in  their  gratitude  for  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act,  and  thrown  down  after  Clinton's 
capture,  has  been  remounted  on  a  new  pedestal,  with  the  old  inscription  tablet 
sought  out  and  replaced.  Even  the  signs  of  mutilation  are  suggestive  to  patriotism 
and  of  a  possible  similar  restoration  of  its  headless  replique,  in  the  k*.  -ping  of  the 
New  York  Historical  Society. 

The  Common  Council  and  citizens  of  Charleston,  showing  their  appreciation  of  the 
renewal  of  their  civic  home,  assembled  on  the  I5th  of  November,  for  its'  ^dedication. 
The  Mayor  —  Mr.  Courtenay,  whose  heart  had  been  in  this  work,.:^  he  a  sug- 
gestive opening  address,  effectively  recalling  the  early  history  of  the  cit;^  fts  position, 
and  his  hopes  in  its  course,  referring  to  the  services  of  his  first  predecessor —  after  the 
Intendancy  —  the  distinguished  Robert  Y.  Hayne  ;  who  had  accepted  the  position, 
after  serving  as  Governor  and  United  States  Senator.  He  showed  how  Hayne  had 
labored  for  facilities  of  communication  with  the  interior,  and  for  the  progress  of  the 
city,  incidentally  comparing  these  details  of  his  life  to  those  of  De  W;'r  £  -linton.  He 
then  recalled  a  resolution  passed  by  the  citizens  on  his  decease^oncu^  ,  to  place  his 
marble  bust  in  the  City  Hall,  and  suggested  its  re-enactmv...ortanc  ..  after  other 
spirited  addresses,  was  unanimously  adopted.  As  the  News  an^us|-o  ^reports  : 

"  Mayor  Courtenay  then  said  :  During  the  visit  of  Governo;  ':hrop  to  this 

city  in  1880, he  visited  the  Council  Chamber  to  see  the  portraits  a.,'  .*her  works  of 
art  owned  by  the  city.  He  called  the  attention  to  the  neglected  'condition  of 
"  Trumbull's  Washington,"  a  full  length  portrait  of  great  value  and  historic  interest, 
and  urged  that  it  be  placed  in  proper  hands  for  restoration,  proffering  his  services 
in  advising  and  superintending  the  work.  By  unanimous  vote  of  the  City  Council 
the  picture  was  forwarded  to  Governor  Winthrop,  and  has  been  wonderfully 
renewed,  and  now  presents  as  fine  an  appearance  as  when  originally  painted.  It 
was  completed  last  spring,  and  was  received  in  the  Boston  Museum  of  Art  and 
kept  on  exhibition  during  the  summer  and  fall  months,  and  is  again  restored  to  its 
familiar  place  on  the  walls  of  our  chamber.  Alderman  Rogers  thereupon  offered 
the  following  resolution  :  WHEREAS,  Our  distinguished  fellow  countr-  ".Governor 
Winthrop,  of  Massachusetts,  while  on  a  visit  to  this  city  in  1880, "ana  enjoying  its 
relics  of  our  olden  time,  became  greatly  interested  in  the  pre  -rvation  of  our 
Trumbull's  Washington,  and  wisely  suggested  its  repair  and  res.jration,  and  to 
further  this  end  offered  his  most  valuable  services  of  supervision  ?nd  care  of  this 
work ;  and  whereas,  through  his  kind  offices  the  work  of  restoration  has  now 
been  finally  completed,  and  this  valued  picture  of  our  city,  no'  /  in  its  old  power 
and  life,  again  adorns  our  walls.  Be  it,  therefore,  Resol-veJ,  That  the  City  Council 
of  Charleston  gratefully  acknowledge  and  appreciate  the  valuable  aid  and  kind 
personal  service  of  Governor  Winthrop  in  the  successful  accomplishment  of  the 
work  of  restoration  of  our  great  painting  of  Trumbull's  Washington.  The  resolu- 
tion was  unanimously  adopted. 


in  the  Revolution.  255 

The  Mayor  announced  to  Council  that  Mr.  T.  Bailey  Myers,  of  New  York  city, 
had  presented  to  the  city  three  rare  and  valuable  engravings  of  great  local  interest  to 
our  citizens  :  I.  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  map  of  the  siege  of  Charleston,  1780,  show- 
ing the  city  and  the  harbor,  surrounding  country,  the  fortifications,  and  position  of  the 
fleet  under  Vice-Admiral  Mariot  Arbuthnot.  2.  An  engraved  portrait  of  William 
Pitt,  Earl  of  Chatham,  Secretary  of  State  from  the  year  1757  to  1768,  by  James 
Barry,  R.  A.,  September,  1778.  3.  "An  exact  prospect  of  Charleston,  the 
metropolis  of  the  Province  of  South  Carolina,"  an  original  engraving  published  in 
the  London  Magazine,  June,  1762."  In  this  connection,  Alderman  White  —  after 
a  preamble  igain  describing  this  small  contribution,  which  is  here  omitted  — 
"  presented  the  following  resolutions  :  Be  it  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the 
City  Council  are  due  and  hereby  tendered  to  Mr.  T.  Bailey  Myers  for  these  valued 
gifts,  and  we  assure  him  that  his  liberality  is  highly  appreciated  by  the  citizens  of 
Charleston.  Rcsol-vcd,  That  these  engravings  be  hung  on  the  walls  of  the  mayor's 
office  and  c  -efully  preserved  as  objects  of  general  interest  to  our.  community. 
These  resolutions  were  also  unanimously  adopted."  Such  recollection  of  past  tradi- 
tions, in  an  ancient  city,  which  gallantly  resisted  royalist,  loyalist  and  tory,  in  the 
period  to  wnich  these  things  refer,  is  a  pleasant  evidence  of  adhesion  to  early 
sympath'  nd  to  the  united  action  of  the  infant  states. 

Since  .  ..  oregoing  paper  has  been  printed,  even  its  delay  for  some  illustration, 
has  evidenced  how  the  rapid  progress  or"  the  world  affects  the  smallest  atom.  Its 
suggestion  of  the  claim  of  ''  History  as  a  Fine  Art,"  has  been  by  a  gratifying  coin- 
cidence, in  that  interval  sustained  —  with  his  usual  ability — by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Howard  Cr  ^.y,  in  a  paper  presented  before  the  Seventy-eighth  Anniversary  Meeting 
of  the  N^«i  *ork  Historical  Society,  while  the  changes  in  the  method  of  corres 
pondence,  also  lately  recalled  editorial  notice  in  the  columns  of  the  "Times." 

*""  .of  thought,  we  know  naturally   exists  as  to  many  subjects  of  varied 

imp  .  nation  of  fifty  millions,  including  great  intelligence.      Differences   of 

com  often    more   conspicuous.     The   comparison  of  opinions  in   public  in 

any  fc  ..uv  demonstrate  the  value  of  convictions  to  some,  call  forth  the  sympathy 
of  other.  .o  have  entertained  without  expressing  them,  or  at  least  open  them 
to  correction.  Thought  has  always  been  considered  a  safe  predecessor  to  action. 

At  least,  in  public  affairs  it  would  appear  that  advanced  methods  of  legislation 
chim  careful  deliberate  consideration  by  their  presenters  as  well  as  by  the  representative, 
and  that  hasty  action  is  only  justified  where  circumstances  demand  the  experiment. 
This  admitted,  Dr.  Crosby,  who  as  a  private  citizen  takes  an  active  interest  in 
current  public  administration,  might  be  induced  hereafter  to  show,  how  the  entire 
record  of  American  statesmanship  —  conformed  to  the  example  of  many  of-iti 
former  and  present  elements,  was  affording  a  noble  example  of  self  devotion  in 
constructing  ^ '  Jry,  and  that  the  creation  as  well  as  the  condensation,  had  just 
claim  to  bi  lered  as  a  fine  Art. 

Many  wise  and  pertinent  suggestions,  contained  in  the  President's  recent  message, 
appear  to  offer  iiaterial  for  the  action  of  statesmanship,  rising  above  party  or  local 
considerations,  and  according  with  a  widely  expressed  sentiment  in  favor  of  such 
more  considerate'and  prudent  legislation  as  would  seem  to  best  assure  the  prosperity 
and  permanency  of  our  institutions. 


ERRATA. 

Page  146,  Read  in  note  5  :  the  value  of  Judge  Jones's  work 
is  that  of  a  cotemporaneous  narrative  of  the 
incidents  of  a  storm,  its  angry  personal  impres- 
sions avowedly  the  result  of  his  sufferings  are 
subjects  for  comparison  with  other  authorities. 

I  go,     Read   Frederick  for  Ferdinand. 

2i2b,    Transpose  relativa  sunt. 

214,  Foot  note  to  read :  This  paper,  if  earlier  dis- 
covered, should  have  been  appropriately  used  in 
restoring  the  original  records,  if  preserved. 

233,     Read,  on  eleventh  line,  any  public  corporation. 

Others  noted  in  APPENDIX  E.  Authorities  are  sometimes 
omitted  from  inconvenience  of  reference,  at  the  place  of  writ- 
ing. 


INDEX 


For  index  to  Tories  and  Loyalists,  see  page  270. 


A  BAW,    (Point  au   Baudet) 
**•         description  of,  87. 
Abercrombie,  Gen.,  85. 
Adams,  John,  xiv. 
Adirondacks,  24. 

Albrant,  Quarter  Master  Fran- 

•         L 
cis,  400. 

Allaire,  Lieut.,  cvi. 

Allen,  Commissioner  Ira,  44. 

Paul,  cxi. 

Amherst,  Gen.,  xciv,  xcvn,  8. 
Ancrum,  Maj.,  carries  flag  of 

truce,  60. 

Anderson,  Lieut.,  74. 
Andersonville  Prison,   25. 
Arnold,  Gen.,  LIII,  cxiv,  CLIX, 

8. 
Ayers,  Robt.,  106. 

BACON,  Win.  J.,    quoted, 
118. 

Batteau,  Description  of  a,  74. 
Batteaux    men,   characteristics 

of,  74. 

Bartram,  John,  90. 
Bemis  Heights,  9. 
Berwick,  Duke  of,  LXXXVI. 
Bienville,  Sieur  de,  19. 
Biographical  Notices. 

Carleton,  Sir  Guy,  8. 
Claus,  Col.  Daniel,  69. 


Clerges,    Lieut.     George, 

61. 

Cook,  Ransom,  106. 
Doyle,  Wm.,  9. 
Foy,  Edward,  7. 
Johnson,  Sir  John,  xxix. 
McDonald,       Alexander, 
56. 

John,  56. 

McLean,  Col.  Allen,  55. 
Phillips,  Gen.  Wm.,  6. 
Pomeroy,  James,  8. 
Rouville,  Capt.,  93. 
St.  Leger,  Col.  Barry,  44. 
Starin,  Jane  Wemple,  118. 

Judge  Henry,  118. 
Watts,  Maj.  Stephen,  29. 
Willett,     Col.     Marinus, 
101. 

Rev.  Wm.  M.,  105. 

Rev.  Marinus,  99. 
Bird,  Lieut.,  cxvi,  cxxx,   51, 

95- 
Blue  Mountain  Lake,  N.  Y., 

24. 
Bonney,  Mrs.  C.  V.  R.,  quoted, 

124. 

Boice,  Sergt.  John,  i. 
Boreas  River,  N.  Y.,  24. 
Bouchette,  quoted,  64,  74. 
Bouquet  River,  N.  Y.,  18. 


258 


Index,. 


Brant,  Jos.,  LVI,  cxx,  cxxxvn, 
CXLVII,  CLIJ,  2,  9,  49, 

95- 
Bronx  River,  xxi. 

Brown,  Capt.,  329. 

Col.,  CXLII,  CLIV,  CLIX. 
John  Carter,  98. 
Brunswick  Contingent,  6. 
Bryant,  Wm.  C.,  quoted,  LXI, 

LXVI,  48,  89,  125-. 
Buck's  (Carleton's)  Island,  civ. 
description  of,  64,  71,  123. 
Bull,  Fort,  see  Fort  Bull. 
Bulwagga    Bay    (Lake    Cham- 
plain),  cxxxvin,  j  8. 
Burgoyne,  Gen.,  LI,  xciv,  en, 
cxxxn,  CLVII,  2,  4,  6, 
9,  47,  96. 
Burnet    (Barnet),    Lieut.,    65, 

75,  76,  83- 
Burt,  B.  B.,  quoted,  69,  88,  89. 

•Burton,  Col.,  46. 
Butler,  Lieut    Col.,  2,  60. 

Walter  N.,  LVI,  civ,  57. 
Col.  B.  C.,  quoted,  37. 
Butler's      Rangers,       CXLVII, 

CLVII,  2. 

Butterfield,  C.  W.,  quoted,  23. 
Button  Bay  (St.  Lawrence),  68. 
Byrne,  Ensign  Wm.,  i,  12, 

'3>  57- 


,  description  of  a, 
50. 

Campbell,  Corpl.,  i,  81. 
Canaseraga,  CLI,  CLVII. 
Cardiff,  Wales,  71. 
Canojoharie,  122. 


Carleton,  Sir  Guy  (Lord  Dor- 
chester), XII,  XVI,  LI, 
xcv,  ci,  cxxx,  7,  8,  10, 

46,  56,  75,  81. 
Maj.,  CLVIII. 

Island,  see  Buck's  Island. 
Carrington,      Gen.      H.      B., 

quoted,  c,  cm. 
Caroga  Creek,  cxxxv. 
Caughnawaga  Flats,  17. 

Village     (Fultonville,    N. 

Y.),  LXXXI,  1 1 8. 
Chambly,  M.  de,  23. 

Village,     description     of, 

23,  62. 
Champlain  Lake,  XLVI,  CLX,  2, 

18,63. 

Chanmonot,  Father,  89. 
Charity,  The  Sloop,  91,  122. 
Cheney,  Capt.,  24. 

Lake,  N.  Y.,  24. 
Cherry  Valley  Settlement,    18. 

Massacre,  46. 
Chippewa,  Battle  of,  77. 
Chittenango  Creek,  cxxxvm, 

CXLVIII. 

Cincinnati,  Society  of,  100. 
Claus,  Col.  Daniel,  civ,  cxxxi, 
2,  9,    I3>  45,  67,   69, 

73,  92- 
Clerges,  Lieut.,  George,  61. 

Clinton,  Gov.  George,  CXLVII, 

CXLVIII,  CLVIII,  CLXI. 
Sir    Henry,    xxii,    xxvi, 
.     LI,  LIX,  CLIX,  8,  98. 
Clonmell,  4. 
Clump,  Thos.,  rides  express  for 

Col.  Willett,  103. 
Coach,  Sergt.  Philip,  68. 


Index. 


259 


Collorton,  Lieut.,  81,  89. 

Fort  Bull           Fort  Hunter 

Colwheel,  a  ship    83. 

Fort     Dimber  Fort  Stanwix 

Cook,  Capt.,  i. 

(Dummer?)  Fraser 

Ransom,  106. 

Fort  George 

Convention  Troops,  6. 

Cornwallis,  Lord,  LXXXVII,  44. 

Galloway           Gorce 

Gordon               Gray. 

Countersigns  : 

Aberdeen           America 

Hamburgh          Hingham 

Adam                  Anapolis 
Albany                Ancrum 

Hampshire         Howe. 
Hatfield 

Ambury              Attleborough. 

Inverness           Ireland 

In  veraw 

Banet                  Bow  Bridge 

Earth                  Britain 
Belfast                Burgoyne 

Johnson              Johnstown. 

Boston                Burlington. 

»  Kenderwhoffe    Kintail. 

Kent 

Cambridge-        Chilroy 

shire               Clonmell 

La  Chine           LongIle(Lon- 

Cadous               Cork 

Lewisburgh            gueil) 

Carleton             Cornwallis 

Lieth                  Lansbausbor- 

Cassel                 Cromathy 

Lipcomb                 ough 

Chambly            Crothers. 

London              Lynn 

Charlestown 

McLean             Milton 

Daly                    Dublin 
Darnock             Dulnacardock 

Major  Small      Mohawk  river 
Middlesex          Montreal. 

Milfnrrl 

Dearham            Dunbarton 

IV111IUI  U 

Detroit               Dunmore 

Dingwall            Dunrobin. 
Dorer 

Nairn                  New  York 
New  Haven      Noadwilley 

New  Market    Norfolk 

New  Port          Norwich. 

Eaton                  England 

Edinborough      Evalick. 
Elizabethtown 

Oneida               Oswego 
Orleans              Oswegatchie. 

260 


Index. 


Paisley  Plymouth 

Patrick  Point  Clair 

Perth  Pow.-ll 

Philadelphia  Preston. 
Phillips 


Quebec. 

Sacandaga 
St.  James 
Scotland 


Stirling 
Suffolk. 


Taunton  Tribe's  Hill 

Three  Rivers  Tryon 

Tice  Tweed. 
Ticonderoga 


Watts 
Week 

Yarmouth 


Weymouth 


York. 


Court  of  St.  James,  12. 

Crane  Mountain,  N.  Y.,  de- 
scription of,  1 8. 

Crawford,  Ensign,  5,  12,  15. 

Creedmoor,  6. 

Creek  Indians,  103. 

Crevant,  Battle  of,  xciii. 

Crofts,  Lieut.  Wm.,  44,  50, 
57,  67,  80. 

Cromwell,  Oliver,  5. 

Crooked  Lake,  N.  Y,,  123. 

Crosby,  Rev.  H  ,  100. 

Crowthers,  Ensign,  I,  12,  13. 

Crown  Point,  cxxxviu,  63. 

Crowse,  Corpl.,  i. 

Cumberland,  Duke  of,  8. 

Cunningham,  Keeper  of  the 
Sugar  House  Prison,  25. 


Cust,  Gen.,  xxxvu. 
Cuyler,  Col.,  CXLVII. 

"TJABLON,  thejesuit,  89. 

Daggart,  Peter  J.,  in. 
Daly,  Capt.,  4. 
Danbury,  26. 
Dayton,  Col.,  LXXXI,  86. 
Dearborn,  Gen.  Henry,  2. 
D'Estaing,  Count,  xxxix. 
De  Lancey,  Edward  F.,  quoted, 
xxxvin,  LXI,  LXVI,  14, 
IOI. 

Anne,  29. 

James,  xix,  xc. 

Regiment  of,  101. 

Legion  of,  xix. 
De  Levy,  Chevalier,  85. 
Delly,  Capt.,  3. 
Denbigh,  Lord,  xcix. 
Derwentwater,  Lord,  xvi. 
Denonville,  Gov.,  122. 
DePeyster,     Gen.    J.     Watts, 
Poem  by,  LXXXV,  quoted, 
14,  30,  81,  127. 

Col.  A.  S.,  cv,  cvm. 
Detroit,  2. 

De  Witt,  Rev.  Dr.,  104. 
Dieskau,  Gen.,  xxxi. 
Dilston    Castle,   Tradition   of, 

xvi. 

Doyle,  Ensign  Wm.,  9. 
Drogheda,  4. 
Dubois,    Col.,    CXLVIII,    CLII, 

CLV. 

Dunbar,  Maj.  Wm.,  58. 
Dunmore,  Lord,  7. 
Dunn,  Receiver  General,  n. 
Duvan,  Capt.,  68. 
Dwight,  Dr.,  quoted,  8 1. 


Index. 


261 


T7GNUE,    Corpl.    Edward, 

^  37- 

Eighth  (King's)  Regiment,  cv 

cxvi,  2,8.9, 12;  Sketch 
of,  76,  95. 


F AIRFIELD,    Burning   of, 
26. 

Fay,  Commissioner  Joseph,  44. 
Ferguson,  Col.,  c,  cvi. 
Fish  House,  N.  Y.,  Sir  Wm. 
Johnson's  Country  Seat, 
cxxxviu,  18. 
Five  Nations,  The,  cvi. 
Fonda,  Maj.  Jelles,  LXXXII. 
Fonteloy,  iM.  de,  66. 
Force,  Peter,  quoted,  XLIII. 
Force's  Archives,  u. 
Fort  Anne,  N.  Y.,  CLX,  69. 
Bull,  Sketch    of,  84,  93, 

125. 

Creek,  Old,  52. 
Dayton,  cxvm. 
Dummer,  Sketch  of,  19. 
Frontenac,  44,  101. 
George,  CLX,  Battle  of,  77. 
Hunter,     CXLVIII,     CLIV, 

CLIX;  Sketch  of,  16. 
Johnson  (Castle)  Descrip- 
tion of,  52,  70,  128. 
La  Prairie,  2. 
Longueil,   19. 
Niagara,  LV,  cxxxvu. 
Ontario,  91. 
Oswego,    cxvi,   cxxxiu, 

CLV1II. 

Paris,  CXLII. 

Plain,  LXXVII,  CXLI. 


Stanwix  (Rome,  N.  Y.), 
LIII,  cvi,  cxv,  cxix, 
cxxvn,  CLVII,  13,  44, 
70  ;  Sketch  of,  85,  86, 
93,  96,  97,  101,  106, 
108,  109. 
Schuyler,  Old,  86,  109, 

no. 

Schuyler,  see  Fort  Stanwix. 
St.  Anne  (Island  of  Mon- 
treal), 69. 

Ticonderoga,  44,  81,  101. 
Williams,  85. 
Fowey,  a  ship,  7. 
Foy,  Dept.  Adj.  Gen.  Ed.,  n. 
Fox's    Mills,   Battle   near,   see 

Klock's  Field. 
Franklin,  Benjamin,  xv. 
Fraser,  Gen.  Simon,  9,  20,  an- 
ecdote of,  123. 

Fredericksburgh,  Battle  of,  121. 
Frederick  II,  xci. 
Frey,  John,  109. 

f~*  AGE,  Gen.,  LXXXVII. 

Gansevoort,  Col.  Peter,  cxvi, 

cxx,  60,  86,  96,  109. 
Gardenier,  Capt.  Jacob,  cxxin, 

57- 

Gaspe,  19. 
Garneau,  F.  X.,  quoted,    123, 

125. 

Gates,  Gen.,  6. 
George  III,  LXXX,  xciv,  44. 
German  Flats,  in. 
Germaine,    Lord   George    St., 

xxiv,   xxv,    xciv,    en, 

9,  10,  81. 


262 


Index. 


Glenney,  Lieut.,  56,  92,  93. 
Gordon,  Dr.,  quoted,  cvi,  82. 
Grant,  Lieut.,  57. 
Gray,  Maj.,  3,  64,  8 1. 
Green,  Gen.,  42. 
Gregg,  Col.,  51. 
Gummerfolk,  Lieut.,  63. 
Guy  Park,  Sketch  of,  53. 
Guyon,  Gen.,  xcni. 


TTALDIMAND,  Gen.,  LV, 
CXLIV,  CLIX,    44,  56, 
68. 
Hamilton,  Wm.  O.,  St.  Leger's 

Sec'y,  61. 

Harkheimer,  Gen.  Nicholas, 
LII,  cvui,  cxxv,  107, 
109. 

Harper,  Col.,  CXLVI,  CLIV,  CLV. 
Headquarters. 

Buck  Island,  64. 

La  Chine,  3,   12,  16,  28, 

43,  58.   ' 
La  Prairie,  2. 
Montreal.  8,  55. 
Oswego  Falls,  93. 
Point  Clair,  40. 
Hendrick,  King,  17,  53. 
Henis,  Mr.,  12. 
Hennepin,  Father,  89.    ' 
Hesse    Hanau    Chasseurs    (Ja- 
gers),   cxxix,   cxxxin, 
CLII,  2. 

Hildebrand,  Lieut.  Jacob,  cm. 
Hillyer,  Capt.  Nicholas,  I,  94. 
Holden,  Dr.  A.  B.,  quoted, 

38- 
Hoosic  (Bennington),  xcvu. 


Hough,  Franklin  B.,  quoted, 
CXL,  CXLVII,  64,  66. 

Howe,  Sir  Wm.,  xciv,  xcv, 
en,  u,  25. 

Hoyes,  Capt.,  cxxx. 

Hunter,  Maj.  Charles  D.,  51. 

Hysted,  Ensign,  I. 

TBERVILLE,  19. 

Isle  aux  Chevreuils  (Buck 
Island),  64. 

JAMES,Dukeof  Monmouth, 
76. 
Jessup,  Maj.  Edward,  37,  68. 

Ebenezer,  37. 
Jessup's  Corps,  4  ;    Sketch  of, 

36,  4-ob. 

Johnson,  Sir  John,  xvn  xxix, 
LXXXIX,  cvn,  cxn, 
cxix,  cxxiv,  cxxvn, 

CXXX,  CXLIV,  CLII,  CLX, 

2,  3,  9,  14,  16,  18,  23, 

49,  107. 

Lady  John,  xvn,  XLIII. 
Sir  Wm.,  xxx,  LXXXVII, 

xc,  xciv,   cxxxvi,  38, 

70,  78. 

Sir  Wm.  George,  XLVIII. 
Col.  Guy,  cvi,  53,  121. 
Mrs.  Col.  Cristopher, 

XXXVII,    XLIV. 

Family,  Genealogy  of,  iv. 

Hall,  xxxi,  1 6. 

Fort  (Castle),   Sketch  of, 

52. 

Gen.  Albert  Sidney,  CLXI. 
Johnstown,  18,  70. 


Index. 


263 


Jones,  David,  37. 

Judge    Thomas,    quoted, 

xxxviu,  81,  101,  107. 
Dr.   P.   E.,  Chief  of  the 

Missisagues,  128. 

T/^APP,     Frederick,    quoted, 
"*         cxxvi. 

Killigrew,  Sergt.,  77. 

King's    Royal    Regiment,    see 

Eighth  Regiment. 
Kingston,  Maj.,  9. 
King's  Mountain,  Battle  of,  L, 

LXVI,  c,  cvi,  cxxxvu. 
Klock's    Field    (Fox's    Mills), 

LXXV  ;  Battle  of,  cxxxv, 

CL,  CLIX. 

Block-house,  CLIV. 
Klock,  Judge  Jacob  C.,  CLV. 
Knox,  Secretary,  cv,  2,  13,  92. 
Knyphausen,  Gen.,  xxm. 
Kuysak,  a  Batteau  Mastei,  75. 

T    A  CHINE,  ci,  cxxxvni, 

*— '       description    of,    3,    10, 

12,  15,  16,  28,  43,  58, 

75.  94- 

Massacre  at,  122. 

Nativite  de  Notre  Dame, 
Village  of,  2. 

Prairie,  2. 
Lair  River,  5. 
Lamb,  Sergt.,  quoted,  75. 
Lanandiere,  M.  de,  19. 
Lanotts,  Capt.,  72. 
Lansing,  Aid  Maj.,  xcvi. 

Mrs.  Abraham,  87. 
Laurance,  Sergt.  John,  68. 
Lauzun,  Duke  de1,  xcvi. 


Lavalette,  Madame  de,  xxxvu. 

Le  Cartargne,  Quarter  Master, 
63. 

Lewis,  Col.  Morgan,  CL. 

Lipscomb,  a  Volunteer,  74,  78. 

Little  Falls  Postage,  cxxii, 
CLIV. 

Livingston,  H.  M.,  68. 
Robt.  M.,  109. 

Lock,  Sergt.  Joseph,  68. 

Lomenie,  Louis  de,  xxiv. 

London  Merchants  offer  a 
bounty,  1 1. 

Long  Island  in  the  St.  Law- 
rence, 67. 

Longeuil,  Description  of,  19. 
Sieur  Charles  le  Moine  de, 

J9- 

Long  Sault  in  the  St.  Law- 
rence, 87. 

Lossing,  Benson  J.,  quoted,  8, 
16,  81. 

Lundy,  Lieut.,  93. 

Luzurne,  N.  Y.,  Hamlet  of, 
18. 

lyjcCREA,  Jane,  106. 

McDonald,  Capt.,  3. 

Alexander,  56. 

John,  56. 
McDonell,  Angus,  59,  4ob. 

Helen,  LXXXII. 
McGregor,  Mount,  38. 
McGrigar,  Corpl.,  i,  4ob. 
McKay,  Capt.,  62. 
McKean,  Capt.,  CL. 
McKenzie,    Lieut.     Kenneth, 
43>  59»  4oa. 

Ensign  John,  46,  52,  59. 


264 


Index. 


McLean,  Col.  Allan,  55. 
McMonts,  Hugh,  56. 
McMullen,  Neil,  91. 
Macomb,  Gen.,  64. 
Madison,  Col.,  51. 
Marlborough,         Duke         of, 

LXXXVII. 

Marshall,  O.  H.,  89. 
Martin,      Capt.    of    Batteaux, 

Michilimackinac,  Post  at,  2. 
Miller,  Quarter  Master  Thos., 

75- 
Batteau    Master    Charles, 

75- 
Mr.,  chief  ship  carpenter, 

Missisagues  (Eagle  Tribe  of 
the  Ojibawa  Nation), 
cvi,  2,  85,  125. 

Mohawkers      (Militia),      cxi, 

CXVIII,  CXXIII. 

Mohawk  Lower  Castle,  16. 
River,  cxxxv,  CXLVI,  96. 
Valley,  LIX,  xcvi,  cxxvn, 

CLI,  98. 

Monaghan,  Sir  Darby,  his  ad- 
venture with  St.  Leger, 

112. 

Mondelet,  Hon.  de,  23. 
Montcalm,  Gen.,  66. 
Montgomery,  Gen.,  66. 
Montmorenci,  cxxn. 
Montreal,  XLI,  4,  6,  19,  70. 
Montrose,  CXLVI. 
Moore,  Lieut.,  60. 
Morgan,  Col.,  CXLVIII. 
Morrison,  Lieut.,  29. 
Moss,  Sergt.  Sam.,  I. 


Mount  McGregor,  near  Sara- 
toga Springs,  38. 

Munroe,  Maj.,  CLX. 

Myers,  Col.  T.  Bailey,  xvi, 
124. 


"MEW  BRUNSWICK,  8. 

Newcastle,  n. 

Niagara,   LV,   cxxxvn,    2,    77, 

87. 

Nicolet,  Father,  23. 
Norfolk,  26. 
North,  Dexter  N.,  quoted,  98. 


O'CALLAGHAN,  Dr.  E. 
B.,  quoted,  7. 
Ogden,  Col.  A.,  104. 
Ogdensburgh,  see  Oswegatchie. 
Oneida  Carrying-Place,  85. 
Castle,  CLVII. 
Lake,cxvi,cxxxvni,  108. 
Onondaga  Indians,  89. 

River,  cxvi. 
Ontario,         Lake,        cxxxm, 

cxxxvui,  89,  124.* 
Oriskany,  L.,  Battle  of,  LXXXV, 

15,  107. 
Creek,  cxix. 
Centennial,  44,  86. 
Oswegatchie     (Ogdensburgh), 

32>  71- 
Oswego,  4,  85  ;   Sketch  of,  88. 

River,  cxxxm. 
Falls,  Sketch  of,  93,  94. 
Rapids,  85. 
Ottawa  River.  22. 


Index. 


265 


PAINE,  Thomas,  xv. 

Gilbart 

Greenock 

Pallas,  a  ship,  7. 

Glasgow 
/-* 

Guadaloupe 

Palmertown, 

near      Saratoga 

(jray 

Springs 
Palmer,  Cdrpl. 

,68. 
John,  4ob. 

Halifax 
Harover 

Hesse  Hanau 
Hingham 

Hartford 

Honduras 

Paroles  : 

Hathersett 

Howe. 

Aberdeen 

America 

Albany 
Amboy 

Armagh. 

India 
Inverness 

Invershire 
Ireland. 

Barford 

Bristol 

Johnson 

Johnstown. 

Barnet 
Belfast 

Brunswick 
Burgoyne 

King  George 

King's  Bridge 

Berwick 

Burk. 

La  Chine 

Lincolnshire 

Boston 

La  Prairie 

Lochabar 

Langford 

London. 

Carick 

Chester 

Limerick 

Carleton 

Connecticut 

Castle  John- 

Cork 

McLean 

Mayfield 

son 

County  Tryon 

McLou 

Montreal. 

Dalwhinney 
Daly 
Dareham 

Dover 
Drogheda 
Dublin 

Newark 
Newcastle 
New  York 

Niagara 
Norfolk 
Norwich. 

Derby 

Dunkeld 

Dornock 

Dunmore. 

Onondaga 

Oswegatchie. 

Eaton  England 

Eden  Essex 

Edinborourgh    Exeter. 


Fairfield 
P'ort  Anns 
Fort  Erie 
Fort  Hunter 


Fort  St.  Ann 
Fort  Stanwix 
Fort  William 
Fraser. 


34 


Patrick  Philadelphia 

Perth    Amboy  Phillips 

Perth  Point  Clair. 

Quebec. 

St.  Leger  Sorel 

St.  Johns  Sterling 

Schenectady  Stratford. 


Index. 


Sopus   (JEso- 
pus) 

Tain 
Templar 
Thotford 

Tillibody 
Tower 
Trenton 

Thurso 

Tryon. 

Walker 

Winchester, 

Wells 

Whymend- 
ham 

York 


Yorkshire. 


Pearce,  Col.  Cromwell,  51. 

Stewart,  quoted,  51. 
Pennington,  Lieut.  Robt.,Q,  10. 
Pepperell,  Sir  Wm.,  xc. 
Phillips,  Gen.  Wm.,  6,  7,  u. 
Pike,  L.  6,67. 

Col.  Zebulon,  51. 
Pitt,  Earl  of   Chatham,   xciv, 

XCVIII. 

Plant,  Corpl.  James,  400. 

Point  Abavv  (Point  au  Baudet\ 
a    canoe  lost   at  ;  Des- 
cription of,  87. 
Clair,  3,  4,  10  ;   Descrip- 
tion of,  40. 

Pomeroy,  Adj.  Gen.  James,  8, 
9,  ii. 

Point  au  Fez,  68. 

Pontiac,  70. 

Potts,  Capt.,  65,  73,  76. 

Powel,  Gen.,  56. 

Prevorst,  Sir  George,  77. 

Prideaux,  Gen.,  90. 

Putnam,  Gen.   Israel,  42. 


QUEBEC,  civ,  19,  22. 

Queen  Anne's  Chapel,  16. 
Queen's  Loyal    New  Yorkers, 
1,9. 


"D  ADEAU,  a    floating    bat- 
IX          tery,  4. 
Raley,  Corpl.  John,  74. 
Riedesel,    Gen.,    exercises    his 

men  on  snow-shoes,  6  ; 

quoted,  81,  97. 
Madame,  7. 
Richelieu  River,  4,  23. 
Roberts,  Ellis  H.,  quoted,  xcu, 

44,  81. 
Rochefoucault  Liancourt.  Duke 

de  la,  quoted,  121,  124, 

125,  127. 

Rochefort,  Comtesse  de,  xxiv. 
Rogers,  Gen.  Horatio,  quoted, 

20,  38,  46. 
Rome,  N.   Y.  (Fort  Stanwix), 

85- 
Roof,     Dr.     F.     H.,     LXXXI, 

cxxv. 

Rossa,  O'Donovan,  5. 
Ross,  Maj.,  56. 
Rouville,    Col.    de    (Bouville), 

*3>  47>  62>  66>  85,  90, 

93- 

Royal  Greens,  Johnson's  Regi- 
ment  of,   cv,  cix,   ex, 

CXXIII,    CXXIX,    CXLVII, 

CLV,  i,  2,  3,  37,  57. 
Royal     Highland     Emigrants, 

Regiment  of,  i,  56. 
Russell,  Corpl.,  i. 


Index. 


267 


Rutland,  George  Manners, 
Duke  of,  112. 

ABINE,   Lorenzo,  quoted, 

xxv. 

Sacandaga  River,  N.  Y.,  fol- 
lowed by  Sir  John 
Johnson,  cxxxvin,  17, 

37- 

Sackett's  Harbor,  77. 
St.  Anne,  Siege  of,  10,  19. 
St.  Anne's  River,  19. 
St.  Germaine,  Lord,  see  Ger- 

maine. 

St.  John's  River,  4. 
St.  Johnsville,  CLIV. 
St.  Lawrence  River,  cxvi,  3, 

19,  22,  64. 
St.  Leger,  Col.  Barry,  LI,  LIX, 

xcv,  c,  cvn,  ex,  cxx, 

cxxx,  CLXI,  403, 44, 46, 

66,    70,    78,   96,    112, 

1 20,   127. 

St.  Louis,  Lake,  3,   122. 
St.  Maurice  River,  22. 
St.  Nicholas  Society,  100. 
St.  Oaris,  Chevalier  de,  66. 
St.  Ursula,  Convent  of,  22. 
Schenectady,  Massacreat,   123. 
Shall,  Sergt.  Jacob,  68. 
Sammons,  Sampson,  120. 
Jacob,  1 20. 
Col.  Simeon,  121. 
Sanger,  Judge  Jedediah,  118. 
Saratoga,  Old,  9. 

Springs,  38,  67,  68. 
Monument      Association, 

118. 
Sayles,  Col.  Welcome  B.,  121. 


Schenectady,  CLIV. 
Schoharie  Creek,  cxxxix,  16. 
Schroon  River,  N.  Y.,  18. 
Schuyler,   Gen.    Philip,    xxxi, 

cxm,  56,  86. 
Seymour,  Horatio,  quoted,  86. 

John  F.,  quoted,  87. 
Shanks,  Capt.,  10. 
Shirley,  Sir  Robt.,  76. 
Simcoe,  Gen.  [Gov.],  127. 
Simms,  J.    R.,   quoted,    CXLI, 

17,  56. 
Singleton,    Lieut.    George,    I, 

12,      13,     breaks      his 

parole,  124. 
Small,  Maj.,  41. 
Sn  ith,  Corpl.,  I. 
Sorel,  description  of,  23. 
Stanwix,  Gen.  John,  85. 

Fort,  see  Fort  Stanwix. 
Starin,  John  H.,  118. 
Jane  Wemple,  118. 
Judge  Henry,  118.  Anec- 
dote of  121. 
Stark,  Gen.,  97. 
Stockwell,  Lieut.,  cxm. 
Stone,  Col.  William  L.,  quoted, 

XLII,      cvn,     cxxxix. 

CXLIV,  CXLVII,  CL,  CLIV, 

CLVI,  29,  81,  86,   104, 

121. 
William  L.,  quoted,  xxxii, 

CLVI,  CLXVI. 

Stone  Arabia,   cxxxv,    CXLII, 

CLIV. 

Stony  Point,  cxxix. 
Strabane,  Ireland,  8. 
Street,  Sergt.  Samuel,  I. 
Sugar  House  Prison,  25. 


268 


Index. 


Sullivan,  Gen.,  LIV. 
Swegatchie,  see  Oswegatchie. 
Sylvester,  N.  B.,  quoted,  38. 


'"TARLETON,  Coi.,  25. 

Taylor,  Rev.  John,  17. 
Thirty-fourth     Regiment    (St. 

Leger'sown),cv;  sketch 

of,  i. 
Thomas,    Gen.     George     H., 

LXXXII. 
Three  Rivers,    19,  description 

of,  22. 
Ticonderbga,    see    Ft.    Ticon- 

deroga. 

Tioga  Point,  CXLVII. 
Tipperary  County,  5. 
Tribe's  Hill,  description  of,  17. 
Trumbull,  Col.  John,   29,  42, 

104. 
Tryon  Co.,  XLIII  ;  tradition  of, 

LXXIII,  21. 
Commissioners,  cxix. 
Governor,  25,  26. 
Tuscarora  Indians,  cvi. 
Twenty-Fourth  Regiment,  9. 


WALIERE,       Bishop      of 
V  Quebec,  22. 

Van   Alstyne,   Lieut.    M.    G., 

cxxv,  CXLVIII. 
Van  Rensselaer,  Gen.   Robt., 

LXXIV,      LXXVII,      CXLI, 
CXLVI,  CLI,  CLIV. 

Van    Schaaclc,      Peter,      xxx, 

cxxxvi. 
Vaudreuil,  M.  de,  19. 


Von     Eelking,      quoted,      cv, 

cxxxiv,  CXLV. 
Vrooman,  Capt.,  CLVII. 

VyALKER,  Lieut.,  2,  80. 

Wall,  Ensign,  35,  87. 
Warr  n,  Sir  Peter,  xc. 

Gen  ,  42. 
Washington,  Gen.,  xcv,   CXL, 

CLXI. 
Watson,  Winslow  C.,  quoted, 

23- 

Watts,  Capt.   (Maj.)    Stephen, 

cix,   cxvn,   cxxni,    3, 

4,  13,  29- 
Mary,  xxxiv. 

Hon.  John,  xvm,  29. 

Ross,  30. 

Anne,  Countess  of  Caselis, 

XLIV. 
Weld,  the   Traveller,    quoted, 

22,  74,  83,  88. 
Wellington,  Duke  of,  xcvm. 
West  Point,  CLX. 
Wetmore,  Judge  Amos,  118. 
Whitehall,  Court  at,  2. 
Wilford,  Richard  R.,  9. 
Wilkinson,  Jemima,  thinks  of 
removing       to       Buck 
(Carleton)  Island,    123. 
Willett,  Col.    Marinus,   cxm. 
cxxvin,  13,  29,60,101, 
Rev.  Marinus,  99,  194. 
Rev.  Wm.  M.,  105. 
Williams,       Surgeon      Thos., 

XXXII. 

Capt.  William,  85. 
Wings  (a  part  of  an  uniform), 


Index.  .  269 

Wolf  Island   in 'the   St.   Law-     YANKEE      PASS,       The 
rence,  67.  yell,  Col.,  CLXV. 

™r  ,rCreC^  CXXXIH-  celebrated,     History    of 

Wolfe,     Gen.,     xciv,      cxx, 

81  2 1  • 

V  C  A       J 

Wood  Creek  (outlet  of  Oneida  Young>  Sergt.  Andrew,  i. 

Lake),  cxxxm.  Younglove,    Moses,    13,    51  ; 
Wyoming  Valley,  XLIX.  affidavit  of,  75. 

Massacre,  cxxxvu.  Moses  C.,  quoted,  76. 


INDEX  TO  "TORIES  OR  LOYALISTS." 


A  DDISON,  Joseph,  168. 

Albemarle,  Lord,  189. 
Amelia,  Princess,  183. 
Armstrong,  Gen.,  202. 

T)  AKER,  Senator,  154. 

Balfour,  Col.  Nesbit,  2I2C. 
Banyar,  Goldsboro,  182,  236. 
Bedford,  Duke  of,  189. 
Belsham,  W.,  182. 
Blanchard,  Claude,  157. 
Bolingbroke,  Lord,   181,  182. 
Boswell,  199. 
Braddock,  Gen  ,  160 
Brant,  Joseph,  194,  195,  200, 

201. 

Brant,  Molly,  194. 
Brazil,  Emperor  of,  238.   , 
Brunswick,  Dukes  of,  166. 
Burr,  Prest,  173. 
Burgoyne,   Gen.,     140,     187, 

188,  189. 

Bute,  Lord,  174,  183. 
Butler,  Col.  John,    192,   193, 

200. 

Butler,  Capt.  Walter,  2OI. 
Butler,  Wm.  Allen,  218. 

(CALIFORNIA,  231. 

v^^ 

Campbell,    Col.    John,    192, 

193- 
Campbell,  Thomas,  201. 


Campbell,  Wm.  W., 

Canada,  2i2d. 

Carleton,  Sir  Guy  (Dorches- 
ter), 187..  189,  198, 
202,  205. 

Carlyle,  Thomas,  147 

Caswell,  Gen.,  210. 

Charles  I,  147. 

Charles  II,  225,  244. 

Charles  Edward,  Prince,    182. 

Charleston,  2i2bv 

Chatham,  Lord,  163,  180,  254. 

Chapin,  Gen.,  199. 

Chelsea,  159. 

Chew,  Joseph,  205. 

Clarendon,  Lord,  154. 

Clinton,  Gov.  Geo.,  150. 

Clinton,  Sir  Henry,  149,  21 2b, 
21 7i  253,  255. 

Clymer,  Geo.,  179. 

Cogswell,  Dr.,  214. 

Golden,  Gov.,  146. 

Cornwallis,  Lord,  168. 

Courtenay,  Mayor,  21 1,  217. 

Cresap,  Col.  Michael,  163. 

Cromwell,  Oliver,  147,  149, 
!55,  244. 

Crosby,    Rev.    Dr.   Howard, 

255- 

Cruger,  Mayor,  148. 
Cullum,  Gen.  G.  W.,  168. 
Cumberland,  Richard,  215. 
Curwen,  Judge,  141. 
Custine,  Gen.  de,  156. 


Index. 


271 


T"\  ALY,  Chief  Justice,  145. 

Dalgetty,  Major,  2i2b. 
Dartmouth,  Lord,  177. 
Dauntless,  Marshal,  251. 
Dawson,  Capt.,  211. 
Dayton,  Gen.  Elias,  212*. 
Dease.  Dr.  John,  236. 
Declaration   of  Independence, 

212,  22O,  221. 

Delaplaine,  Joseph,  229,  239. 
de    Lancey,    Edward     Floyd, 

146. 
de    Peyster,    Gen.   J.    Watts, 

140,  141,  234,  251. 
Dongan,  Gov.,  163. 
Dwight,  Rev.  Timothy,  160", 

250. 
Dray  ton,  Chief  Justice,  184. 


,  Welbore,  190. 

Emmet,     Thos.    Addis,    175, 

188,  209,  238,  253. 
Evans,  Walton  White,  210. 

PALKLAND,    viscount, 
.154- 

Fontainbleau,  Peace  of,  183. 
Franklin,  Benjamin,  169,  230, 

246. 

Franklin,  Sir  William,  174. 
Frederick  the  Great,  184. 
Fearless,  General,  251. 


,     Gen.   and    Lord, 

205,  236. 

Gaine,  Hugh,  236. 
Gates,     Gen.     Horatio,    127, 

149,  189,  209. 


George  III,    151,  166,     181, 

184. 
Germaine,  Lord  George,  186, 

188,  215. 

Granville,  Lord,  182. 
Greene,  Gen.  Nathaniel,  2i2b, 

217. 

Grenville,  Geo.,  185. 
Grundy,     Mrs.,      234,     245, 

251. 

UALDIMAND,  General, 

190,  191,  192,  236. 
Halifax,  Lord,    182. 
Hamilton,  Gen.  Alex.,  219. 
Hancock,  John,  174. 
Hastings,     Marquis    of,    198, 

2I2b,   253. 

Haynes,  Col.  Isaac,  2i2b. 
Herkimer,  General,  161. 
Henry,  Patrick,  224. 
Hermann,  225. 
Hey  ward,  Thos.,  Jr.,  172. 
Howe,  Sir  Wm.,  188. 
Huntington,  Gen.  Jed.,  146. 

JAY,  John,    169,  214,  219. 

Jefferson,  Thos.,  219. 

Johnson,  Col.  Guy,  186,  192, 
193,  194,  205,  212% 
236,  252. 

Johnson  Hall,   160,212. 

Johnson,  Lady,  2i2a. 

Johnson,  Sir  John,  139,  140, 
158,  174,  186,  187, 
190,  191,  192,  194, 
195,  206,  207,  208, 

211,  2I2C,  213,  252. 


272 


Index, 


Johnson,  Sir  Wm.,  140,  160, 
162,  163,  172,  187, 
197,  238,251. 

Jones,  Judge  Thos.,  146. 

Jones,  John  D.,  146. 

Jones,  Gen.  Valentine,  149. 

Jones.  Col.  Chas.  C.,  211. 

J^EMBLE,      Gouverneur, 

205. 

Kirkland,  Rev.  Sam'l  ,  197. 
Klock's  Field,  211,  212°. 

J^AURENS,  Henry,  169. 

Laurens,  Col.  John,  173. 
Lee,  Arthur,  178. 
Livingston,  Philip,  214. 
Livingston,  Gov.  Wm.,  178 
Logan,  the  Chief,  163. 
Louisburg,  159^ 
Lyman,  Gen.  Phineas,  160. 
Lynch,  Thos.  Jr.,   172. 

MACKENZIE, Dr.,  238. 

Madison,  James,  219. 
Matthews,     Mayor    of    New 

York,  2^13. 

Maximus,  Quintus,  229. 
Middleton,  Arthur,  172. 
Mikado,  240. 

Montcalm,  Marquis   de,  168. 
Monroe,  Col.  James,  200. 
Moore,    Geo.    H.,    LL.    D., 

189. 

Morgan,  Gen.  Daniel,  211. 
Morris,  Gouverneur,  214. 
Morris,  Lewis,  155. 
Morris,  Robert,  224. 
Munsell,  Joel.  202. 


TNJEWCASTLE,  Duke  of, 

1 80. 

Nicolls,  Gov.,    244. 
Nieu  Amsterdam,  244. 
North,  Lord,  180. 
Northumberland,     Duke     of, 

198. 

QBELISK,  The,  229,  227, 

239- 
Ouvrir  la  Porte,  251. 

Outre  Mer,  248. 
Ogelthorpe,  Gen.,  211. 
Oswald,  Richard,  169. 

pENN,  Richard,  178. 

Pepperel,  Sir  Wm.,  160. 
Pepys,  Samuel,  2IO. 
Percy,  Lord,.  199. 
Pinckney,  Gen.  C.  C.,  173. 
Pickering,  Timothy,  2OO. 
Plutarch,  230. 
Pollock,  Dr.,  225. 
Pretender,  The,  157. 

QUEENSBURY,  Duchess 
^       of,  182. 

D  EFUGEES,  142. 

Richfield,  235. 
Richmond,  Duke  of,  2I2C. 
Riedesel,  Gen.,  191. 
Rochambeau,  Ct.,  156. 
Rockingham,  Lt.,   180,  189. 
Rome,  226,  227. 
Rudolph  of  Hapsburg,  232. 
Rutledge,  Edward,  172. 


Index. 


273 


CABIN,  Lorenzo,  168. 

Schuyler,  Peter,  161. 
Schuyler,   Gen.    Pjhilip.,    179, 

2I2a. 

Scipio,  Publius,  229. 
Scull,  I.  D.,  189. 
Seymour,  Gov.,23i. 
Shelburn,  Ld.,  188. 
Shirley,  Gov.  Wm.,  160. 
Skene,  Col.  Philip,  238. 
Smith,  Judge  Mill,  146. 
Smith,     Rev.      Crias.     Jeffry, 

197. 
Spencer,    Herbert,   223,    234, 

238. 

Sprague,  Rev.  Dr.,  253. 
Stanley,  Dean,  182. 
St.  Ledger,  Col.,  161. 
Stewart,  Gen.,  198. 
Stirling,  Lord,  160. 
Stockton,  Richard,  173. 
Stockton,  Emelia,  175. 
Stone,  W.  L.,  140. 
Stout  Francis  A.,  252. 
Stryker,  Adj't  Gen.,  246. 
Sydney,  Lord,  204. 

""THOMPSON,        Charles, 

167. 

Townshend,  Charles,  185. 
Trusty,  Col.,  245. 
Tryon  County,  2J2C,  252. 
Tryon,  Gov.,  215,  236. 


JJTOPIA,  245- 


WAN    SCHAACK,    Peter, 

148. 

Vattemare,  Alexander,  253. 
Viomenel,  Baron  de,  156. 


VyARWICK,  Lord,  199. 

Washington,    21 1,    213,   214, 

217,  2 1 8,  230,  246. 
Washington,  Col.  W.,  252. 
Wales,   Frederick    Prince   of, 

181. 
Wales,     Princess     Dowager, 

183. 

Walpole,  Sir  Robert,  180. 
Watts,  Mary,  238. 
Watts,  John,  238. 
White,  Col.  A.  W.,  210. 
White,  Alderman,  255. 
Wheelock,  Rev.  Eleazer,  162, 

172. 

William  III,  150. 
William,  Stadtholder,  244. 
Winthrop,  Robert  C.,  254. 
Woodfall,  Wm.,  215,  216. 


\/ATES,  Abraham,  Jr.,  161. 

Yonkers,  231. 
York,  Duke  of,  244. 


E 

233 

J67 

188? 

C.I 

ROBA